The Houston Rockets waived second-year forward Tyler Bey on Friday to facilitate the official signing of Dante Exum, according to the NBA’s official transaction log. Exum’s contract is based heavily on incentives and could be worth up to $15 million over the next three seasons, though each year is non-guaranteed and includes various trigger dates.
The Rockets had signed Bey, who was drafted in the 2020 second round, to a training camp deal last month. But since the Rockets were at the NBA’s maximum offseason roster number of 20 players, someone had to be let go in order for Exum to officially join the team. If Bey is not signed by another team, he could potentially become an option for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate franchise.
It’s worth noting that while Exum can officially report to training camp under this arrangement, another transaction would be needed for Exum to make Houston’s final 2021-22 roster. For the regular season, teams can carry a maximum of 15 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals, and Houston is now at 16 players on standard contracts.
Among players on standard deals, Khyri Thomas is on a non-guaranteed contract and could be a candidate to be waived, depending on his training camp performance relative to Exum. However, freeing up a roster spot via a trade is also a possibility for general manager Rafael Stone.
OFFICIAL: The Rockets today announced they have re-signed guard Danté Exum. pic.twitter.com/Dc6NICoEGG
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 18, 2021
