As part of the blockbuster trade that James Harden is sending to Brooklyn, the Houston Rockets are taking over Indiana-based Victor Oladipo, Cleveland’s Dante Exum, and Nets’ Rodions Kurucs.
In terms of roster spots, that equates to three players coming in and only one going out, pushing the Rockets over the NBA’s limit. So someone else would have to go for the trade to be legal, and it looks like someone is going to be 25 year old big man Bruno Caboclo.
Per Jonathan figs of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets will waive Caboclo on Thursday before closing the transaction.
Caboclo, who re-signed with Houston in the off-season, had only played in cleanup duty since the return of veteran center DeMarcus Cousins from quarantine. Between Cousins, starter Christian Wood and smaller lineups with Jae’Sean Tate or PJ Tucker in the middle, there seemed to be no path for Caboclo to crack Stephen Silas’ rotation. At six feet tall and nearly 230 pounds, Kurucs might fit that equation too.
In six appearances this season, Caboclo scored an average of 2.8 points (47.1% FG) and 2.3 rebounds in 6.0 minutes. His minimum salary would not be fully guaranteed until February 27, so Caboclo’s release also helps the Rockets stay below the harsh salary ceiling and luxury tax speed bumps.
A fitting end to an era. Missiles that trade James Harden to Brooklyn in a multi-team deal, pick up Oladipo and picks. (With update on tomorrow’s next roster change.) Https://t.co/0aweTMXOMs
– Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 14, 2021