Houston Rockets target Wesley Matthews will receive a contract buyout from the New York Knicks, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports. Although several teams are interested in signing him as a free agent when he clears waivers (Oklahoma City, Toronto, Philadelphia, and Golden State among them), the Indiana Pacers are thought to be the favorites to pick him up.
The Rockets traded for defensively-gifted wing Iman Shumpert on Wednesday, and followed up with a series of salary clearing moves prior to Thursday’s deadline. If they are unable to sign Matthews, they still have a strong new addition that can operate in a ‘3-and-D’ role. However, Houston now has only 12 players on its roster and must add at least one more in the next two weeks.
Earlier today, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the Rockets intend to be active in the buyout market, despite maneuvering under the tax threshold. Matthews is considered the most talented, and consequently most sought-after, player to come available thus far. The still forming buyout market is anticipated to include Matthews, Wayne Ellington, Michael Beasley, Marcin Gortat, Enes Kanter, and more.
