Recent sensation Garrison Mathews — best known to some as “Garry Bird,” or “Garry Legend” — is currently on a two-way contract, which runs for only one season and limits him to 50 games at the NBA level. Understandably, the Houston Rockets would like to change that.
Per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, general manager Rafael Stone is already exploring moves to free up a roster spot, which could then be used to award Mathews with a standard NBA contract. Fischer writes:
The Houston Rockets are searching for trades that would clear a roster spot to convert two-way standout Garrison Mathews to their 15-man roster, according to league sources. Veterans DJ Augustin, Danuel House Jr., Daniel Theis and Eric Gordon are all viewed around the league as viable trade candidates. Houston appears willing to listen to offers on Christian Wood, but that would require a first-round pick plus further capital.
The good news for the Rockets is that because Mathews began the 2021-22 season in the G League, he won’t reach the 50-game mark — even if he plays in every NBA game from here on out — until early March. Thus, Stone will have plenty of time to create a roster spot, and all the way to this season’s February trade deadline and beyond.
Nonetheless, with Mathews emerging as a consistent starter of late, it certainly can’t hurt for Stone to start exploring the possibilities early. Moreover, with Houston undoubtedly hoping to secure Mathews on a multi-year deal, there’s an argument to be made that he might be more willing to sign a team-friendly deal earlier in the process. That would give Mathews an earlier raise on his current 2021-22 salary and eliminate the risk of him playing his way into a bigger financial demand down the line.
In his last 10 games (nine starts), Mathews is averaging 15.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 33.0 minutes, including 48.0% shooting from the field, 42.0% on 3-pointers, and only 0.2 turnovers per game.
Related
Rockets’ Garrison Mathews shows love to creator of ‘Garry Bird’ nickname
Garrison Mathews earns MVP chants, steals show from James Harden as Rockets win seventh straight
Garrison Mathews’ confidence on the basketball court started on football field
The latest trade rumors surrounding Ben Simmons, the Lakers, Nets and Pacers, plus greater context on the Jaylen Brown whispers, and more notes from around the league, all at @BR_NBA: https://t.co/fQTF8VrRKp
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 14, 2021
List
Houston Rockets player salaries for 2021-22, future seasons
