Houston Rockets Team Salary

Quick: Over the cap and hard-capped by the Christian Wood sign-and-trade.

Salary Cap: $109,140,000

Luxury Tax Threshold: $132,627,000

Hard Cap: $138,928,000

Projection for 2021-22 ($112,414,000 cap): Up to $14.3 million, less with Jae’Sean Tate and KJ Martin’s non-guaranteed salaries and none with Victor Oladipo’s cap hold.

Roster Count: 15 guaranteed, two two-ways

Depth Chart
PG: John Wall, Avery Bradley, DJ Augustin, Dante Exum (injured)
SG: Kevin Porter Jr, Eric Gordon, DaQuan Jeffries, Armoni Brooks (two-way), David Nwaba (injured)
SF: Jae’Sean Tate, Danuel House, Sterling Brown, KJ Martin
PF: Christian Wood, Anthony Lamb (two-way)
C: Kelly Olynyk, DJ Wilson

Note: Teams often adjust their depth chart throughout the season, sometimes game by game.

Exceptions

Trade Exception (Austin Rivers, expiring 8/12/21*) — $2,174,318
Trade Exception (Russell Westbrook, expiring 9/1/21*) — $103,894
Trade Exception (James Harden, expiring 11/22/21*) — $5,019,920
Trade Exception (Rodions Kurucs, expiring 2/7/22*) — $1,780,152
Trade Exception (Victor Oladipo, expiring 2/11/22*) — $8,180,351
Mid-Level Exception — $6,913,993 (Jae’Sean Tate, KJ Martin)
Bi-Annual Exception — $3,623,000

* Exact date TBD

Waived Players: Jerian Grant, Kenny Wooten, Trevelin Queen, Trey Mourning, William McDowell-White, Gerald Green, Josh Reaves, Bruno Caboclo, Chris Clemons, Brodric Thomas (two-way), Ray Spalding (two-way), DeMarcus Cousins, Mason Jones (two-way), Ben McLemore, Justin Patton (two-way)

Traded Players: Robert Covington, Trevor Ariza, Austin Rivers (sign-and-trade), Russell Westbrook, James Harden, PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs, Victor Oladipo

Expired 10-Day Contracts: Mason Jones

G-League Affiliate: Rio Grande Valley Vipers (general manager Jimmy Paulis, head coach Matt Brase)

Two-Way Contracts: Anthony Lamb, Armoni Brooks

Note: Two-Way Contracts pay $449,115 for the full 2020-21 season, pro-rated based on in-season signing date. Once a player reaches 50 games played, his salary will jump to the minimum for his years of service.

Governor: Tilman Fertitta

Basketball Executives

Rafael Stone — general manager
Eli Witus — executive vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager
Keith Jones — senior vice president of basketball operations

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Stephen Silas

Assistants: John Lucas, Jeff Hornacek, Will Weaver, Rick Higgins, DeSagana Diop

Trainers: Jason Biles (head athletic trainer/director of athlete care & science, Willie Cruz (director of athletic performance)

Pick Swaps

2021 — Owed a first-rounder (lottery protected through 2027, otherwise converts to a 2027 second-rounder) from the Portland Trail Blazers (Robert Covington).
2021 — Owed a first-rounder (top-16 protected through 2022, top-18 protected through 2024, top-13 protected in 2025, top-11 protected in 2026, top-9 protected in 2027, otherwise conveys as 2027 second-rounder) from the Detroit Pistons (Christian Wood).
2021 — The Oklahoma City Thunder can swap the lower of the Miami HEAT or their own pick with the Rockets, provided the Houston pick is 5-30 (Russell Westbrook)
2021 — The Rockets can swap first-rounders (from the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder or Rockets) with the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2021 — Can swap second-rounders with the Philadelphia 76ers (James Ennis), the lower pick going to the New York Knicks (George Hill).
2021 — Owed a first-rounder (top-9 protected) from the Milwaukee Bucks. If the pick conveys, the Bucks will get the higher of the Philadelphia/Houston second-rounder (PJ Tucker).
2022 — Owed a first-rounder from the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2022 — Houston has the right to swap first-rounders with the Miami HEAT (Victor Oladipo). The Rockets get the higher two of the Brooklyn Nets, Heat (top-14 protected) and Rockets. If Miami’s protections kick in, Houston will keep both the Nets’ and their own firsts, and will instead get the lower of the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers’ 2022 second-rounder.
2022 — Owe a second-rounder to the Cleveland Cavaliers (Alec Burks).
2023 — Owed a first-rounder from the Milwaukee Bucks (PJ Tucker).
2023 — Owed a first-rounder (lottery protected in 2023, top-12 in 2024, top-10 in 2025, top-8 in 2026, otherwise converts to 2026 and 2027 second-rounders) from the Washington Wizards (John Wall).
2023 — Can swap first-rounders with the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2023 — The higher second-rounder from the Miami HEAT and Dallas Mavericks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The higher of (the lower second-rounder from Miami and Dallas) and the Houston Rockets (33-60) goes to the Boston Celtics. The pick that does not go to Boston (including Houston 31-32) goes to the Pacers (Josh McRoberts, Delon Wright, Bruno Caboclo, Desmond Bane, James Johnson, James Harden).
2024 — Owed a first-rounder from the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2024 — Owed second-rounder from the Golden State Warriors (Eric Paschall, Clint Capela) in 31-55 range, otherwise to the Cleveland Cavaliers (Kevin Porter Jr).
2024 — Owe a first-rounder (top-four protected, otherwise converts to 2024 and 2025 second-rounders) to the Oklahoma City Thunder (Russell Westbrook).
2025 — The Oklahoma City Thunder can swap first-rounders, provided the Rockets’ selection is 11-30 (Russell Westbrook).
2025 — The Rockets can swap first-rounders with the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden). May be the Oklahoma City Thunder or Rockets first swapped to Brooklyn (Russell Westbrook).
2026 — Owed a first-rounder from the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2026 — Owe a first-rounder (top-four protected, otherwise converts to a 2026 second-rounder and a payment of $1 million) to the Oklahoma City Thunder (Russell Westbrook).
2027 — Can swap first-rounders with the Brooklyn Nets (James Harden).
2027 — Owe a second-rounder to the Oklahoma City Thunder (Christian Wood, Hamidou Diallo).

Cash Paid ($5,617,000 max): $4.6 million to the Detroit Pistons (Christian Wood); $1 million to the Sacramento Kings (KJ Martin) — $17,000 remaining

Cash Received ($5,617,000 max): $0

Deadlines

5/7/21 — No-aggregation restrictions lifts on DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson.
6/22/21 — NBA Draft Lottery.
7/29/21 — NBA Draft.
7/31/21 — KJ Martin’s $1,517,981 guarantees for the 2021-22 season (two days before the start of the 2021-22 moratorium).
7/31/21 — Team option deadline for DaQuan Jeffries and Avery Bradley.
7/31/21 — Qualifying offer deadline for DJ Wilson and DaQuan Jeffries (if opted out).
8/1/21 — Final Day of 2020-21 season.
8/2/21 — Start of 2021-22 season and moratorium.
8/6/21 — Final day of 2021-22 moratorium.
8/12/21 — Austin Rivers trade exceptions expires (exact date TBD).
8/13/21 — Bruno Caboclo’s $2,283,034 guarantees for 2021-22.
9/1/21 — Russell Westbrook trade exceptions expires (exact date TBD).
10/31/21 — Team option on Kevin Porter Jr.
11/22/21 — James Harden trade exception expires (exact date TBD).
1/7/22 — Jae’Sean Tate’s $1,517,981 guarantees for 2021-22.
2/7/22 — Rodions Kurucs’ trade exception expires (exact date TBD).
2/11/22 — Victor Oladipo trade exception expires (exact date TBD).
6/29/22 — Player option on John Wall.
6/29/22 — Team option on Jae’Sean Tate.
6/29/222 — Qualifying offer deadline for DaQuan Jeffries.
6/29/22 — KJ Martin’s $1,782,621 guarantees for 2022-23 (two days before the start of the 2022-23 moratorium).
7/1/22 — DJ Augustin’s $7,333,333 guarantees for 2022-23.
Before the first day of 2022-23 season — Extension deadline for Kevin Porter Jr.
1/7/23 — Jae’Sean Tate’s $1,782,621 guarantees for 2021-22.
6/28/23 — Eric Gordon’s $20,917,02 guarantees for 2023-24*.
6/29/23 — Qualifying offer deadline for Kevin Porter Jr and Jae’Sean Tate
6/29/23 — Team option on KJ Martin.
6/29/23 — KJ Martin’s $1,930,681 guarantees for 2023-24

Teams and players can renegotiate guarantee dates but no later than January 7 each year.

* Eric Gordon’s 2023-24 salary guarantees in full if he’s named an NBA All-Star before the 2023-24 season, or the team wins a championship before the 2023-24 season, provided Gordon plays in at least 500 regular season minutes or in 750 minutes combined over the regular and postseason.

Transactions

10/15/20 — Agreed to part ways with general manager Daryl Morey.
10/15/20 — Promoted Rafael Stone to general manager.
10/30/20 — Hired coach Stephen Silas.
11/19/20 — Austin Rivers opted out of his contract.
11/19/20 — Opted David Nwaba into the final year of his contract.
11/19/20 — Declined to give Michael Frazier and William Howard qualifying offers.
11/20/20 — Ben McLemore’s $2,283,034 guaranteed for 2020-21.
11/21/20 — Claimed Kenny Wooten (two-way) off waivers (from the New York Knicks).
11/22/20 — Traded Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for Trevor Ariza, the rights to Isaiah Stewart (2020-16th) and a first-rounder (lottery protected through 2027, otherwise converts to a 2027 second-rounder).
11/24/20 — Traded Trevor Ariza, the rights to Isaiah Stewart (2020-16th), a 2027 second-rounder and $4.6 million to the Detroit Pistons for Christian Wood (via sign-and-trade), a first-rounder (top-16 protected through 2022, top-18 protected in through 2024, top-13 protected in 2025, top-11 protected in 2026 and top-9 protected in 2027, otherwise converts to a 2027 second-rounder and a Los Angeles Lakers 2021 second-rounder. Wood signed a three-year $41 million contract.
11/25/20 — Traded a Los Angeles Lakers 2021 first-rounder and $1 million to the Sacramento Kings for the rights to KJ Martin (2020-52nd).
11/25/20 — Signed Sterling Brown to a $1,678,854 minimum contract.
11/25/20 — Re-signed Bruno Caboclo to a partially-guaranteed two-year $4,311,628 minimum contract ($50,000 guaranteed).
11/25/20 — Signed Jae’Sean Tate to a partially-guaranteed three-year $4,746,299 contract ($50,000 guaranteed), team option on final season.
11/25/20 — Signed Mason Jones to a two-way contract ($50,000 guaranteed).
11/27/20 — Traded Austin Rivers (via sign-and-trade), the rights to Sergio Llull (2009-34th), the rights to Tadija Dragicevic (2008-53rd) and the rights to Axel Hervelle (2005-52nd) to the New York Knicks for the rights to Yusuf Sanon (2018-44th).
12/1/20 — Signed KJ Martin (2020-52nd) to a partially-guaranteed four-year $6,129,593 contract, team option on the final season.
12/1/20 — Signed DeMarcus Cousins to a non-guaranteed $2,564,753 minimum summer contract (Exhibit 9).
12/1/20 — Signed Gerald Green to a non-guaranteed $2,564,753 minimum summer contract (Exhibit 9).
12/1/20 — Signed Trevelin Queen to a non-guaranteed $898,31 minimum summer contract (Exhibit 9 and 10).
12/1/20 — Signed Brodric Thomas to a non-guaranteed $898,31 minimum summer contract (Exhibit 9 and 10).
12/1/20 — Signed Jerian Grant to a partially-guaranteed $4,012,890 minimum contract.
12/2/20 — Traded Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall and a protected 2023 first-rounder (lottery protected in 2023, top-12 in 2024, top-10 in 2025, top-8 in 2026, otherwise converts to 2026 and 2027 second-rounders).
12/16/20 — Waived Jerian Grant, Kenny Wooten and Trevelin Queen.
12/17/20 — Signed Trey Mourning to a non-guaranteed $898,310 minimum summer contract (Exhibits 9 and 10).
12/17/20 — Signed William McDowell-White to a two-way contract.
12/19/20 — Signed Josh Reaves to a non-guaranteed $1,445,697 minimum summer contract (Exhibits 9 and 10).
12/19/20 — Waived Trey Mourning, William McDowell-White, Josh Reaves and Gerald Green.
12/19/20 — Converted Brodric Thomas to a two-way contract ($50,000 guaranteed).
12/22/20 — Jae’Sean Tate’s salary guaranteed at $500,000.
1/14/21 — Waived Bruno Caboclo.
1/14/21 — Traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets for Caris LeVert, Rodions Kurucs (via the Nene trade exception), first-rounders in 2022, 2024 and 2026, and pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027, and Dante Exum from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1/15/21 — Caris LeVert failed his physical, rolling back the 1/14/21 trade.
1/16/21 — Traded James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and a 2023 second-round pick (from the Miami HEAT, Dallas Mavericks or Rockets) to the Indiana Pacers for Rodions Kurucs (via the Nene trade exception), first-rounders in 2022, 2024 and 2026, and pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027, and Victor Oladipo from the Pacers, and Dante Exum from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
1/22/21 — Waived Chris Clemons.
1/22/21 — Traded a Golden State Warriors 2024 second-rounder (top-55 protected) to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kevin Porter Jr.
2/12/21 — Waived Brodric Thomas (two-way).
2/12/21 — Signed Ray Spalding to a two-way contract.
2/16/21 — Waived Ray Spalding (two-way).
2/19/21 — Guaranteed DeMarcus Cousins’ $2,564,753 for 2020-21.
2/19/21 — Signed Justin Patton to a two-way contract.
2/23/21 — Waived DeMarcus Cousins.
2/24/21 — David Nwaba’s $1,824,003 guaranteed for 2020-21.
2/24/21 — Jae’Sean Tate’s $1,445,697 guaranteed for 2020-21.
3/8/21 — Waived Mason Jones (two-way).
3/8/21 — Signed Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract.
3/11/21 — Signed Mason Jones to a 10-day $61,528 10-day contract.
3/19/21 — Renounced the rights to Tyson Chandler, Thabo Sefolosha, DeMarre Carroll, William Howard, Kenneth Faried, Trevon Duval and Tarik Black.
3/19/21 — Clint Capela ($3,595,333) and Nene ($784,601) trade exceptions expired.
3/19/21 — Traded PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and a Milwaukee Bucks 2022 first-rounder (back to the Bucks) to Milwaukee for DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson, a 2023 Bucks’ first-rounder and protected swap rights that give the Rockets the Bucks’ 2021 first-rounder (top-nine protected) in return for the higher second-rounder between the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston.
3/21/21 — Mason Jones’ 10-day contract expired.
3/22/21 — Jordan Bell trade exception ($1,620,564) expired.
3/25/21 — Traded Victor Oladipo to the Miami HEAT for Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and 2022 first-round swap rights. The Rockets get the higher two of the Brooklyn Nets, Heat (top-14 protected) and Rockets. If Miami’s protections kick in, Houston will keep both the Nets’ and their own firsts, and will instead get the lower of the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers’ 2022 second-rounder.
4/3/21 — Waived Ben McLemore and Justin Patton (two-way).
4/3/21 — Signed Armoni Brooks to a two-way contract.
4/5/21 — Claimed DaQuan Jeffries off waivers (from the Houston Rockets).