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With AJ Griffin off roster, why Rockets might not immediately fill his vacated spot

ben dubose, rockets wire
·2 min read

The Houston Rockets now have an open roster spot after agreeing to a contract buyout with AJ Griffin.

But as the official start of 2024-25 training camp looms next Tuesday, Oct. 1, it may not be a given that they immediately fill it.

Jonathan Feigen, longtime Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, explains a possible scenario:

When it comes to the roster spot, the Rockets could be willing to leave it open for the same reason that losing Griffin does not leave a void. He had little chance of cracking the rotation and was unlikely to play, barring a rash of injuries at his position.

The Rockets could opt to leave the spot open, as has become common since the two-way contracts, because there is little chance of someone cracking the rotation, barring a rash of injuries.

With mid-level exception money to spend, the Rockets could leave the spot available in case there is a trade, taking on salary with that exception money in a deal and slotting in a player to the 15th roster spot, even if that sort of move does not come until the deadline.

Houston is currently rostering five players — Nate Williams, Nate Hinton, N’Faly Dante, Jermaine Samuels Jr., and Jack McVeigh — on either two-way or training camp contracts. For the time being, that could be sufficient depth for head coach Ime Udoka to fill out the end of his bench.

In turn, that could allow general manager Rafael Stone to be a bit more flexible with that suddenly vacated roster spot and jump on any opportunities that arise at a later date.

More: Rockets open roster spot by agreeing to contract buyout with AJ Griffin

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: With AJ Griffin off roster, why Rockets may not fill his vacated spot