Rockets lose 2-way guard to midseason contract with team in China's CBA
The fluid nature of NBA roster management was on full display this week as the Houston Rockets saw a key piece of their developmental pipeline depart for an overseas opportunity. Former Rockets two-way guard Kevon Harris, who had been a standout performer for the franchise's G League affiliate, has reportedly agreed to a midseason contract with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). The move comes just days after Houston waived Harris to reshuffle their two-way slots, highlighting the precarious existence of players on the fringes of the NBA.
Harris, a 28-year-old guard out of Stephen F. Austin, had been a productive force for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season. Averaging an impressive 19.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the G League, Harris provided the organization with reliable depth and veteran insurance. However, with the Rockets' main roster loaded with young talent and the front office prioritizing the development of recent draft acquisitions, Harris found his path to the NBA floor blocked. His departure was precipitated by the Rockets' decision earlier this month to waive him in favor of signing forward Tyler Smith, a move designed to bolster the team's frontcourt versatility.
For Harris, the transition to the CBA represents a lucrative pivot. The Xinjiang Flying Tigers are a perennial powerhouse in China, and midseason acquisitions of NBA-caliber guards often come with significant financial incentives and a "green light" to score. While the two-way contract system is designed to keep talent stateside, the financial disparity between the G League and top international leagues remains a decisive factor for players in their late 20s.
The Rockets, meanwhile, continue to tweak their roster around their core. General Manager Rafael Stone has shown a willingness to cycle through two-way players to find the right fits for Head Coach Ime Udoka's system. While losing a high-scoring guard like Harris depletes the Vipers' immediate firepower, it opens the door for younger prospects to absorb those minutes. As the NBA season approaches its midway point, Houston remains focused on optimizing every roster spot, even if it means watching productive talent take their skills abroad.
Harris, a 28-year-old guard out of Stephen F. Austin, had been a productive force for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers this season. Averaging an impressive 19.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the G League, Harris provided the organization with reliable depth and veteran insurance. However, with the Rockets' main roster loaded with young talent and the front office prioritizing the development of recent draft acquisitions, Harris found his path to the NBA floor blocked. His departure was precipitated by the Rockets' decision earlier this month to waive him in favor of signing forward Tyler Smith, a move designed to bolster the team's frontcourt versatility.
For Harris, the transition to the CBA represents a lucrative pivot. The Xinjiang Flying Tigers are a perennial powerhouse in China, and midseason acquisitions of NBA-caliber guards often come with significant financial incentives and a "green light" to score. While the two-way contract system is designed to keep talent stateside, the financial disparity between the G League and top international leagues remains a decisive factor for players in their late 20s.
The Rockets, meanwhile, continue to tweak their roster around their core. General Manager Rafael Stone has shown a willingness to cycle through two-way players to find the right fits for Head Coach Ime Udoka's system. While losing a high-scoring guard like Harris depletes the Vipers' immediate firepower, it opens the door for younger prospects to absorb those minutes. As the NBA season approaches its midway point, Houston remains focused on optimizing every roster spot, even if it means watching productive talent take their skills abroad.
