NBA Rumors: Jason Terry Chooses Houston Rockets Over New Orleans Pelicans And Utah Jazz
Jason Terry is heading back to the Houston Rockets.
Jason Terry agreed to terms with the Rockets today, source confirmed. RealGM reported first. Terry agreed to vet minimum deal.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) August 19, 2015
RealGM is reporting that Terry has agreed to re-sign with the Rockets to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
“The New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz also had strong dialogue to sign Terry with his agent, Byron Irvin. Ultimately, the opportunity to win and cohesive recruitment from Rockets players and coaches pushed Terry to return. Terry has played an immense role in the Rockets’ locker room, becoming an integral role player in the 2015 postseason alongside James Harden in the backcourt.”
Terry was acquired by the Rockets from Sacramento last September for Alonzo Gee. The 37-year-old combo guard appeared in 77 games, including 18 starts, last season and averaged 7.0 points while shooting 42.2 percent from the field, along with 39.0 percent from beyond the arc. Terry stepped up his play in the postseason, as he replaced the injured Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup, averaging 9.2 points along with 2.8 assists in 17 contests. He shot 42.5 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from the three-point line.
According to Yahoo Sports, New Orleans wanted Terry for his leadership and shooting ability, while Utah made a bid for Terry when Dante Exum went down with his injury.
Terry’s signing likely concudes a busy offseason for the Rockets. Terry is the fourth player Houston has re-signed this offseason with the others being Beverley, Corey Brewer, and K.J. McDaniels. They have also signed 2015 first-round selection Sam Dekker, traded for Ty Lawson, and signed free agents Marcus Thornton and Chuck Hayes, along with undrafted rookie free agent Christian Wood.
With Terry now in the fold, the Rockets have 15 players under contract, with 13 of those contracts being guaranteed. Hayes and Wood have partially guaranteed deals. Wood, who entered the draft following his sophomore season, averaged averaged 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks for UNLV last season. He averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in four summer league games with the Rockets.
Houston is currently over the salary cap and luxury tax threshold, so they can only sign players to non-guaranteed deals or the veteran’s minimum. It is unlikely the Rockets will sign any other veteran, as the Rockets are pretty well set at all positions, though they still could eventually sign their 2015 second round draft choice, Montrezl Harrell.
Harrell, who is a monster on the glass, averaged 16.5 points and 8.0 caroms — with nearly five of those rebounds coming on the offensive end — in four summer league contests. He shot 48.1 percent from the field but only 50.0 percent from the charity stripe. Harrell reached double-figures in each of his four contests and had saved his best performance for his final appearance — tallying 24 points, on 12-of-25 shooting, to go along with 12 boards and two blocks against Philadelphia on July 17.
Houston could make a trade, however, as they have three trade exceptions (worth around a combined $3.6 million). The Rockets, as Inquisitr previously reported, are one of the teams Phoenix Suns disgruntled forward Markieff Morris said he would prefer to be traded to.
(photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
