The Houston Rockets have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season, but more help could soon be on the way. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, eight-year veteran Kenneth Faried plans to join the Rockets after a contract buyout with the Nets.
Sources: Faried plans to sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal with the Houston Rockets when he clears waivers from Nets buyout. https://t.co/Jcenj8C46W
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 19, 2019
Faried, 29, spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career in Denver before being traded to Brooklyn in the 2018 offseason. The 6-foot-8 forward has been used sparingly this season, appearing in just 12 games this season, averaging 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game.
In a Nets loss to the Bucks on Dec. 29, Faried showed he had plenty left in the tank with a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in 27 minutes of action.
Once clearing waivers, he will provide frontcourt depth to a Rockets team that has forced to become innovative with its lineups due to injury. The report comes just days after it was announced that starting centre Clint Capela would miss up to six weeks with a thumb injury. In a loss to Brooklyn Wednesday, Houston started 6-foot-6 forward P.J. Tucker at centre.
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Thanks in part to the current tear of reigning MVP James Harden, the Rockets find themselves at sixth in the West with a record of 25-19. The team's next five games are as follows: Jan. 19 vs. Lakers, Jan. 21 at Sixers, Jan. 23 at Knicks, Jan. 25 vs. Raptors and Jan. 27 vs. Magic.
As the road ahead features a number of inside threats, Faried is sure to be put to use as soon as he officially joins the roster.