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Houston Rockets Sign Troy Williams To 10-Day Contract

By Eric Spyropoulos

Feb 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (center) talks with guard Lou Williams (12) and center Clint Capela (15) and guard Eric Gordon (10) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets won 129-99. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (center) talks with guard Lou Williams (12) and center Clint Capela (15) and guard Eric Gordon (10) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets won 129-99. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets filled their roster by adding a young, athletic wing on a 10-day contract. What could that mean for Troy Williams and the Rockets moving forward?

Be honest. When you heard the news that the Houston Rockets were signing Troy Williams to a 10-day contract, your first response was, “Who?” And no one can blame you for that, since Williams has only played in 24 NBA games so far in his short career.

Let’s get some more information about Williams, even though his stint with Houston could be short-lived. Williams played three seasons at Indiana, and averaged a modest 11.3 points per game throughout his college career.

Williams then went undrafted and joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2016 Summer League. He eventually found a home with the Memphis Grizzlies and was actually able to secure a roster spot by impressing the Grizzlies during training camp and preseason.

In fact, one of those impressive preseason performances came against his new team, the Houston Rockets:

During his time with the Grizzlies, Williams averaged 5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1 steal per game in 17.4 minutes per game. Williams shot 41.8 percent from the field and 24.4 percent on three-pointers, something that may make you question why the Rockets, a team so in love with three-pointers, signed him.

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    • It is important to note that Williams has played 23 games in the D-League with the Iowa Energy, where he averaged 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 31.5 percent on three-pointers.

    Williams was also a 32.5 percent three-point shooter in college, making it likely he could hover around the 30 percent mark for an entire season.

    However, the Rockets didn’t sign Williams for his potential to grow in to a knock-down shooter. Williams will carve out a spot in the NBA through his athleticism and defense.

    In his time with the Grizzlies, Williams posted a 1.6 defensive real plus-minus and averaged over two steals per game and nearly one block per game per 36 minutes. Many of Williams’ highlights include jaw-dropping feats of athleticism on the defensive end:

    I mean, WOW. Williams will only receive consistent playing time in the NBA if he can continue to be a solid defender and grow in to at least a semi-competent shooter.

    So this now begs the question: what does this move signify for the Houston Rockets? Well, it’s very likely that this move is simply taking a flier on a young (Williams just turned 22 years old in December) and athletic wing.

    Many were hoping (and predicted) that the Rockets would use their final roster spot on an established veteran who could contribute in the playoffs if needed. However, Daryl Morey has opted to continue his quest to find young, cheap talent with potential and develop them in the D-League.

    It’s possible that with Ryan Anderson dealing with some back issues that Williams could see the floor over the course of his 10-day contract, in which case it’d be important to look at 1) If Williams is played at the power forward position due to his lack of shooting and 2) how his shot looks.

    Next: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Grades For All 30 Teams

    Williams won’t be given many opportunities with the Rockets this season to secure anything more than this 10-day contract. However, with good defense and tremendous athleticism, over time he certainly has a chance to be a part of the Rockets’ long-term plan at the wing positions.

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