Houston Rockets: Looking To Trade Royce White

October 24, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Royce White (30) against the New Orleans Hornets during the first half of a preseason game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With the announcement of the Houston Rockets Summer League Roster, one noticeable name was left off the 2013 summer squad: 2012 first-round pick Royce White.

According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, not only will White not play in the summer, but he also may not even practice with the Summer League team, which could be a clear indication that the Rockets are looking to deal him.

 “After not playing in an NBA game in his rookie season, Royce White will not play or practice with the summer-league team, either. Less certain is whether he will ever appear on a Rockets roster again.

The Rockets have had talks about trading White, a person with knowledge of the conversations said. It was not clear whether he was not part of the summer-league team because of the chances he could be moved before next season.”

If the Rockets are able to deal White in the next coming days, that could open up enough cap space that would allow them to keep more players from last season.  There also would be no worries should signing Dwight Howard could take up most of their cap space.  White is scheduled to make $1.7 million for next season.

White’s contract states that his second season is guaranteed, so he would count on the Rockets’ cap whether he is on the roster, or released.

White last practiced with the Rockets on Nov. 10 and then played 16 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but did not appear in any of the team’s six playoff games. He has not been a part of the workouts at Toyota Center that have involved many of last season’s other rookies.