Rockets loose small F, House Jr. looses spot on NBA roster

After a reported breakdown in contract negotiations, the Houston Rockets lost a small forward, and Danuel House Jr. lost his spot on an NBA roster. House returned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League on Tuesday night after he and the Rockets could not find common ground.

The 25-year-old Houston native provided a feel-good story for the Rockets this season but had run out of his allotment of NBA service days on his two-way contract. The Rockets offered a multiyear, partially guaranteed contract to keep House instead of securing his roster spot with a standard NBA contract for the remainder of this season, according to the Houston Chronicle. House reportedly wanted a fully guaranteed deal for the rest of this season but did not want a multiyear deal because he can become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

In 25 games (12 starts) this season, House averaged 9.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and one assist per game. He has played in 49 NBA games over parts of three seasons with the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Rockets. Houston might try to add a small forward on a 10-day contract to replace House, the Chronicle reported. One option is James Nunnally, who appeared in 13 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this season. 

(With inputs from agencies.)