Rockets add a pair of intriguing players in Exhibit 10 contracts

The NBA is an unforgiving place. Like any other team, the Houston Rockets can't afford to "give" anyone anything outside of an opportunity.

Any prospective Rocket needs to earn his keep. That's true all around the NBA. Sometimes, a player doesn't cut it. Other times, they take a less linear path to success.

Thon Maker is hoping to be one of those players. He and Markquis Nowell just signed Exhibit 10 contracts with the Rockets.

Let's get to know them both.

Rockets sign former lottery pick

Maker is the main eventer here. As the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, he entered the league with lofty expectations.

He has not met them.

Granted, Maker has had his moments in the NBA. During the 2017-18 season, Maker was a key rotation piece for the Bucks in the postseason. He swatted a whopping 3.3 blocks per 75 possessions throughout the postseason.

That weakside shot blocking is part of Maker's appeal. In theory, he's also a floor spacer on offense. In practice, his shooting has been inconsistent. Defensively, Maker can be valuable as a switch big and weakside shot blocker, but his lack of strength has made him a liability in too many situations.

Speaking of physical limitations...

Rockets roll dice on talented guard

Nowell is 5'8". Enough said?

That isn't fair. Nowell is a remarkable basketball talent. At 5'8", he'd have to be if he's receiving Exhibit 10 deals in the NBA.

Nowell is a dynamic playmaker. He's never met a passing read he couldn't make, and his lightning speed allows him to get to the rim. He's intriguing, but it's hard to feel optimistic about his NBA projection given his height.

Realistically, it's hard to feel optimistic about either of them.

Rockets would be lucky to land rotation player

There's some excitement in bringing in Maker. At one time, he was a darling of the mixtape circuit. The internet couldn't stop talking about Thon Maker.

Now, he's 27. If Maker was going to be a long-term NBA player, he'd probably be one. That's the harsh reality of NBA life.

These are Exhibit 10 contracts. If either Maker or Nowell makes it out of training camp and to the Rockets' G-League affiliate Rio Grande Vipers, and stay there for 60 days, they'll take home a cool 75k.

Still, it's worth keeping an eye on the situation. If Maker can make the most of this opportunity, who knows? He could still have a role as a rotation player in the NBA.

The Rockets can't give him anything more than that.