Overview
- The Rockets signed undrafted center Rafael Castro to a two-way contract Wednesday and placed guard Tristen Newton on waivers to free the required roster spot.
- Castro is a 6-foot-10/6-foot-11 big who starred at George Washington, earned Atlantic 10 defensive honors, measured a 7-foot-1 wingspan at the combine, and played in Milwaukee's summer-league entry.
- Newton averaged 25.1 points and shot 36.2% from three in 30 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but was cut despite that performance and will become a free agent if unclaimed on waivers.
- With Castro added, Houston's three two-way slots are filled by Rafael Castro, Sean Pedulla, and Quadir Copeland, allowing those players to split time between the Rockets and the RGV Vipers for up to 50 NBA games.
- The transaction highlights how teams use two-way contracts to trade proven G League scoring for positional fit and developmental upside and it raises near-term pressure on Newton and the Vipers' backcourt depth.