Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from 2019 NBA Summer League

3. Hartenstein could the backup center very soon

Just two years ago, Isaiah Hartenstein found himself befuddled by the pace of the pro game, as the young player the Houston Rockets selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft often seemed lost during his debut on the Summer League stage.

Now, Hartenstein appears to have finally discovered it, as the German big man who once needed time to get adjusted to the rigors of playing at the game’s highest level recently showcased the ability to hold his own in Vegas.

For the second consecutive summer, Hartenstein displayed an improved comfort and knowledge of how to operate within Houston’s pick-and-roll heavy offensive scheme.

Including a high-octane motor that could help the 21-year-old center potentially gain significant NBA minutes very soon.

Hartenstein — who recently led the Rockets’ G League affiliate to its third title — averaged 16 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game through three games prior to sustaining a sprained ankle that sidelined him midway through the event.

"“He had a phenomenal year in the G League this year,” Houston summer league head coach Matt Brase told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle when asked about Hartenstein’s overall development within the Rockets system. “We’ve seen him do a lot of really good things. “We wish we could get him to stay healthy and play all the games out here in Summer League. But we got to get him healthy and make sure he’s ready when we’re starting back up in September.”"

Although it remains to be seen whether or not he might come to fit within the course of Houston’s future plans, Hartenstein’s quest to emerge as the official backup center to Clint Capela is starting to look like a legitimate possibility in the wake of Nene’s recent decision to decline his $3.8 million player option.

His ability to stretch the floor — combined with his willingness to take care of the paint — and run the court can make him a valuable fit in any system that seeks to take advantage of spacing across the league.

Should he earn the opportunity to prove himself under current Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni, then Hartenstein could prove that his year-to-year progression was indeed worth the full wait for Houston’s player development staff.