:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64654989/usa_today_12657480.0.jpg)
With none of their major free agent targets materializing thus far, the Houston Rockets have been content to mostly just “run it back,” and that continues with today’s report that Austin Rivers is back in H-town on a two-year deal.
Free agent guard Austin Rivers has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Houston Rockets, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Financial terms of the contract have yet to be released, but there was speculation that Rivers might see a big offer somewhere else, so it will be interesting to see if the Rockets had to dip into their remaining $5.7 million of the MLE in order to make this happen.
UPDATE: Rivers has signed for the veterans minimum, leaving Houston the rest of their MLE to work with still.
He's getting the vet minimum, $2,174,318 per for a seven-year veteran. https://t.co/a7CuBcb3Fh
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 1, 2019
Regardless, Rivers was a good fit with the Rockets last year and was extremely happy playing for Mike D’Antoni and alongside James Harden and Chris Paul, so this was a good move.
Austin Rivers has re-signed with the #Rockets. Just two weeks ago, Rivers talked about wanting to play with James Harden and Chris Paul: “Yeah. I'd love to. Both Hall of Fame players." https://t.co/jnmEuOTbTE
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) July 1, 2019
In addition, I have a better chance of suiting up in Summer League than Chris Paul does of playing an 82-game regular season, so the Rockets were always going to be in the market for another point guard. They now have one that knows the system, the locker room, and the city, so kudos from me on this signing.