Although NBA rosters are limited to 15 players on standard contracts (and up to three two-way deals) during the regular season, teams are allowed to carry up to 21 players in the offseason. That expanded roster window continues through training camp and the preseason.
For the 2023-24 Houston Rockets, who recently wrapped up a successful 5-1 stint with a runner-up finish at the NBA’s 2023 summer league, standouts from that roster were clearly among the most appropriate candidates to fill those expanded roster roles.
So, shortly after signing Jermaine Samuels Jr. to a two-way deal, the Rockets have agreed to training camp contracts with fellow summer league standouts Nate Hinton and Matthew Mayer. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle was first with the news.
Mayer, an undrafted 2023 rookie who played in college at Baylor and Illinois, averaged 12.5 points (51.6% FG, 43.5% on 3-pointers) and 7.3 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game at summer league. The 6-foot-9 sharpshooter turns 24 years old in September.
Meanwhile, Hinton — an undrafted prospect from the 2020 class who played his college basketball at Houston — averaged 11.8 points (50% FG, 35% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in 26.4 minutes. A versatile 6-foot-5 wing, Hinton turned 24 in June.
Nate Hinton and Mathew Mayer also signed with the #Rockets on exhibit 9 contracts. They both looked great on the SL team and glad to have them in camp competing for a Rockets roster spot. https://t.co/hTuQZ3owui
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) August 2, 2023
Should a prospect such as Hinton or Mayer play well enough in training camp and the preseason, Houston could certainly consider him for a spot on its roster for the 2023-24 regular season.
However, many players on camp deals will join the Rockets’ G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.
As far as I can tell:
Hudgins, Days, Obiesie & Mayer could be waived & made "Affiliate Players" for the Vipers.
Williams, Hinton & Samuels already played for other G-League teams who have their returning player rights. Vipers would need to trade for them if HOU waives them. https://t.co/nBTunRayev
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) August 2, 2023
