Rockets Officially Sign, Begin Practices With 2022 Rookie Class

With the NBA’s 2022-23 fiscal year officially starting on Friday, the Houston Rockets quickly got to business by signing four rookies.

Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 overall draft pick of the 2022 first round, signed his first NBA contract, as did LSU forward Tari Eason (No. 17) and Kentucky guard TyTy Washington (No. 29). Those three are all on standard four-year rookie deals, with team options for the last two seasons and a qualifying offer that can be made after year four.

The league has a set salary scale for rookie deals each year, depending on draft slot. Teams can pay from 80% to 120% of that number, though 120% is the industry standard. For Smith, Eason, and Washington, 120% of slot value would mean first-year salaries of $8.9 million, $3.4 million, and $2.2 million, respectively, with gradual raises for years two and three and larger bumps for the fourth-year options and qualifying offers.

The Rockets also signed undrafted rookie guard Trevor Hudgins, who played at Division II’s Northwest Missouri State, to one of their two two-way contracts. Two-way deals allow players to shuttle back and forth between the NBA and G League, albeit with limitations on service time. Hudgins will effectively fill the roster spot of Trevelin Queen, who was a two-way player last season before signing with Philadelphia this week.

Given the new league year and official contract signings, the Rockets also began holding official practices Friday as they prep for 2022 summer league action starting Thursday, July 7. Photos from the debut practice involving Houston’s 2022 rookie class are available below.