The Houston Rockets agreed to a one-year contract on Sunday with 25-year-old guard Sterling Brown, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Financial terms were not immediately disclosed. With the Rockets subject to a hard salary cap following the sign-and-trade acquisition of Christian Wood, a veteran’s minimum contract would seem to be most likely.
Known best for his defense, the 6-foot-5 Brown averaged 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game for Milwaukee last season. When given playing time, Brown’s athleticism, strength and bulk (232 pounds), and a 6-foot-10 wingspan allows him to be a tough, gritty defender. That physicality also makes him an strong rebounder for his position.
A player that I would take a good look at in free agency is Milwaukee's Sterling Brown.
At 6'5, he's a good on and off ball defender, nice hustle player, and is one of the best guard rebounders out there. Shot 36.1 3PT% in 2018-2019, but then regressed to 32.1% last season.
— Disney Gary Clark (@Itamar1710) October 21, 2020
Brown was selected in the second round in the 2017 draft and is now entering his fourth NBA season. His best year as a professional came in the 2018-19 season, when he averaged 6.4 points in 17.8 minutes per game on 46.5% shooting from the field, including 36.1% on 3-pointers.
Should Brown recapture that 2018-19 form from 3-point range, it could make him a valuable “3&D” wing player for the Rockets. (For his career, Brown shoots 41.7% overall and 34.5% from 3-point range.)
In Houston, Brown should serve as useful depth behind established wing players such as James Harden, Danuel House Jr., and Eric Gordon.
One-year deal for Sterling Brown. https://t.co/OjwgcKiH8F
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 22, 2020
Sterling Brown did not have the best season ever but I still think he can provide value. His rebounding is impressive, and even though his 3pt% was bad I think its more of an outlier, but his big strength is his defense. He is a fantastic defender and very active. pic.twitter.com/azmGLHsSCO
— NBA Discussion (@NBAisBest4) October 18, 2020
