The Houston Rockets are waiving second-year guard Chris Clemons after acquiring Kevin Porter Jr. in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Clemons suffered a torn Achilles tendon in late December and is out for the year.
Clemons is 5-foot-9 and led the NCAA in scoring as a senior at Campbell in 2019. He averaged 4.9 points in 33 appearances last season.
The Rockets traded a future protected second-rounder to the Cavs for Porter, a 6-4 shooting guard who has yet to play a game this season. He averaged 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds last year as a rookie.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN noted, Clemons was expected to see increased minutes this season as a backup to newcomer John Wall.
“(Clemons is) on a $1.5 million non-guaranteed contract but Houston would be on the hook this season if this is a long-term injury,” Marks wrote.
Added Feigen, “Clemons’ contract became guaranteed when he was hurt late in a preseason game. The pick going to Cleveland is protected through the first 55 picks of the draft.”
