The Houston Rockets have made a significant investment in the backcourt, with Jalen Green being selected with the No. 2 overall choice in the 2021 NBA Draft. Kevin Porter Jr. and Josh Christopher are rising possibilities for Houston, along with Eric Gordon, a returning veteran, and other intriguing choices. With the Rockets allegedly content to keep John Wall on the bench, with or without a trade, there is still some flexibility on the perimeter for Houston, which might clear the door for Dante Exum’s return.
Exum and the Rockets are negotiating an agreement to bring the former top-five pick back to Houston for the 2021-22 season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Exum was traded to the Rockets in January, but due to a calf injury, he never played for them. Exum, the former Utah Jazz guard, has struggled with injuries, participating in only 97 games in the last four seasons.
Still, Exum is only 26 years old and, even without seeing him on the floor in a game setting, the Rockets seemingly saw something appealing to give Exum a chance to make a dent. Modest expectations are necessary at this stage of Exum’s career, but Houston is certainly in a period of transition, and he is a buy-low option without much, if any, risk.
