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The Houston Rockets have signed stretch power forward Robert Covington to a two year deal.
Covington went undrafted in Thursday's 2013 NBA Draft. The two year deal is at the league minimum and includes $150,000 in guaranteed money. The contract does not count against the salary cap or affect the Dwight chase.
Consider this a low-risk high-reward draft pick on behalf of the Rio Grande Vipers.
Covington will be given a chance to prove himself in the Orlando Summer League and will likely go on to play for the Vipers.
Covington is listed at 6' 7" in draft profiles. He's a 210 pound tweener who would most likely be a stretch four for the Rockets.
In college he shot the ball well and pulled down a fair share of rebounds while playing power forward.
He's 22 years old and spent four years attending Tennessee State University. His stock took a tumble this year after surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Covington's 2013 season:
31.2 MPG
15.8 PPG
7.9 RBG
1.8 BPG
2.1 SPG
Covington will be familiar with Rockets draft pick Isaiah Canaan. They both played in the Ohio Valley Conference.
For the Rockets he could fill a Patrick Patterson style role, but would be expected to hang out on the wing in the half-court offense.
Final Verdict: This is a low risk move that might make Morey look even smarter than he already does down the road.
Covington announced his signing today with this photo on Instagram. Whatever photo editing app he used to make this photo, it's clear he didn't buy the full version.