The Rockets have been active in trade talks.
Unloading Chinanu Onuaku – who’s guaranteed $1,544,951 – could help Houston facilitate a deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Houston has traded center Chinanu Onuaku to the Dallas Mavericks for cash, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2018
Houston will send Onaku and cash to Dallas for a 2020 second-round pick swap, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/aL1a6CXwzw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2018
Well over the luxury tax, Houston is probably covering most, if not all, of Onuaku’s salary. By trading him rather than waiving him, the Rockets avoid paying luxury tax on his salary.
This doesn’t mean the Rockets will make another trade. They could just want to add another minimum-salary player (beyond Carmelo Anthony, who’s so Houston-bound, he’s already accounted for).
Or the Rockets could just leave the roster spot open, saving money.
Houston already has a strong starting center in Clint Capela, and Nene is a capable backup. Ryan Anderson will also play center in some matchups. Isaiah Hartenstein and Zhou Qi are projects at the position.
Onuaku got squeezed out. Best known for shooting free throws underhanded, the 21-year-old Onuaku was the No. 37 pick in the 2016 draft. He has spent most of his career in the NBA’s minor league – rebounding, protecting the rim, finishing inside, being way too sloppy with the ball and once pushing a referee.
The Mavericks now have 16 players – one more than the regular-season standard-roster limit – with guaranteed salaries. There’s no guarantee Onuaku sticks, but he’s worth taking a flier on – especially with Houston covering most, if not all, the cost. Dallas has more room for center depth, behind DeAndre Jordan and Salah Mejri.