With their season opener mere days away, the Houston Rockets made some serious moves on the back end of their roster, bringing in center Oscar Tshiebwe and forward Julian Phillips on two-way contracts. This isn’t just a minor tweak, it’s a significant reshuffling designed to maximize their talent pipeline before the real games even begin.
The G League’s Best Talent Is Now Wearing Rockets Colors
Listen, when you pick up a guy who’s been named the 2022 National College Player of the Year, the 2024 G League Rookie of the Year, *and* a two-time All-NBA G League first-team selection, you’re not messing around. That’s Oscar Tshiebwe, folks, and he’s 26, now rocking a Rockets two-way deal. He might be an undersized center, but don’t sleep on his game around the basket. This dude is a play finisher and an absolute beast on the offensive glass. Last season, with the Utah Jazz, he was giving them 7.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in just 16.6 minutes across 27 NBA games. But check the G League numbers: 13.6 points and a ridiculous 15.5 rebounds per game over 23 contests, shooting 58.5% from the field. That kind of production is no joke. The Rockets clearly want that kind of relentless energy and proven G League dominance.
Julian Phillips: A Fresh Face With Serious Upside
They didn’t stop there, either. Alongside Tshiebwe, the Rockets brought in Julian Phillips, a 6-foot-7 forward who’s only 22. This kid was the 35th pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and Houston snagged him back in July. This is already his third NBA team, so he’s looking to prove himself, and the numbers hint he absolutely can. Phillips brings some serious versatility. He averages 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes in the NBA. And in his 12 career G League games, he’s putting up 19 points, 7.4 rebounds, and one steal per game, shooting 47.6% from the field and a sweet 41.4% from 3-point range. You love to see that kind of deep threat and defensive activity from a young forward. It’s a smart pickup for their rotation, especially on a two-way contract. Oh, and by the way, this guy was out there hitting a three-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 15 in a game the Rockets won 116-89. So he’s already been making plays.
To make room for these two talents, guard Sean Pedulla was waived. It’s a tough break for Pedulla, but it shows Houston is serious about maximizing their three two-way spots, which are now held by Tshiebwe, Phillips, and wing Quadir Copeland. This roster shake-up, just days before the season opener, screams that the Rockets are trying to squeeze every last drop of talent out of their G League affiliate pipeline. They just snagged a G League phenom and a young, versatile forward who can shoot. This isn’t just a minor tweak, it’s a clear statement about the kind of depth and talent they want heading into the season. It’s gonna be interesting to see how these guys fit in as the Rockets hit the court.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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