Houston Rockets Cut Loose Former NBA Lottery Pick

After a 10-day contract with the Houston Rockets in which he didn't get into a single minute of action, seven-year veteran center Willie Cauley-Stein has been let go as his contract has now expired.

Willie Cauley-Stein's 10-day contract with the Rockets was completed. He did not play while with the Rockets. The Rockets have no immediate plans to fill the roster spot. They have 14 days to sign a 14th player.

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 9, 2023

He's re-joined the Grande Valley Vipers of the G League, where he's spent his 2022-23 season aside from this two-game diversion with the Rockets. With the Vipers, in 10 regular season games, Cauley-Stein has averaged 9.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots in 28 minutes per game. 

The 29-year-old last played in the NBA last season, with the Dallas Mavericks (18 games) and Philadelphia 76ers 2 games). He averaged just nine minutes per game and 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds.

His first four seasons in the league were spent with the team that drafted him in the lottery, the Sacramento Kings. He posted marks of 10.1 points per game and 6.4 rebounds in his time there. 

But he was never able to establish himself again as a solid rotation player in the league, and his career averages do not change after his 10 days in Houston, sticking at 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. 

The Rockets, according to beat writer Jonathan Feigen, have no plans to fill the roster spot vacated by Cauley-Stein.

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports