Rockets to sign versatile ex-Bucks draft pick, cut ties with star G-League scorer

Dean Simon

Rockets to sign versatile ex-Bucks draft pick, cut ties with star G-League scorer image

The Houston Rockets have begun the 2025-26 with a stellar 13-5 record, good for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

Despite the success of their gritty group co-captained by Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün, Houston's front office has remained active.

On Tuesday evening, The Stein Line's Jake Fischer revealed that the franchise made a new two-way contract signing in an effort to add more size to the back-end of their roster.

"The Rockets intend to sign Tyler Smith to a two-way contract, according to league sources," Fischer shared via X/Twitter on Tuesday.

"Houston will waive Kevon Harris, sources say."

The Milwaukee Bucks' former No. 33 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Tyler Smith has yet to find stability in the NBA, but his interesting skill-set should give him a fighting chance of making a name for himself in Houston.

Throughout his rookie campaign, the skilled 6-foot-9 offensive threat appeared in just 23 regular season contests for the Bucks in 2024-25, though he made the most of his limited opportunities.

In those 23 outings, Smith contributed 2.9 points and 1.1 rebounds while connecting on a blistering 43.3% of his three-point attempts.

Smith is a fairly polished offensive option thanks to his underrated ball-handling, athleticism and smooth jump-shot, and he'll aim to make an immediate impact for the Rockets' Rio Grande Valley Vipers G-League affiliate.

To make room for Smith, Houston made the tough decision to waive 28-year-old Kevon Harris despite his wonderful efforts as a member of the Vipers this G-League season.

Harris has developed into an intriguing talent and certainly one to keep an eye on at the G-League level, as he's averaged 19.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Vipers on a solid 59.9% true shooting percentage in eight Tip-Off Tournament games to start the new year.

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Contributing Writer