The Houston Rockets re-sign Austin Rivers for the veteran’s minimum

The Houston Rockets are continuing to run it back, re-signing another key player to last year’s squad. What does this signing mean for the team as they look to improve?

Austin Rivers shocked the fanbase of the Houston Rockets today when he re-signed with the squad. We knew that he wanted to be back with the team, based on his offseason comments, but he really showed it today by taking a massive pay cut.

Rivers decided to sign back with the Rockets for the veteran’s minimum, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. He was a key member to the team last year, especially in the postseason when the Rockets needed a punch off the bench.

He's getting the vet minimum, $2,174,318 per for a seven-year veteran. https://t.co/a7CuBcb3Fh

— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 1, 2019

This is an absolutely incredible deal for the Houston Rockets. Now, they have a little bit of money to pursue one more lower-middle tier free agent to join the squad. Rivers was more focused on rejoining the team and winning rather than getting a massive payday, which he could’ve received.

The Rockets will now have his Bird Rights for next season, should he opt and want to sign another deal. Houston will be able to go over the cap and sign him to a much-deserved contract in the offseason.

Free agency so far

The Rockets have now made three moves in free agency, all of which are re-signings. After missing out on Jimmy Butler, it looks like the team is trying to secure their squad from last year and make another run at it with a very talented squad.

They re-signed both Gerald Green and Danuel House yesterday. Now with Rivers in tow, the bench is looking quite formidable. Adding another piece, preferably a stretch power forward or a center, would be great for the Rockets. We’ll have to wait and see what Daryl Morey does with the rest of the summer because he certainly isn’t done yet.