The 2022-2023 NBA season didn’t get off to the best possible start Usman Garouba. On his visit Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks, The former Real Madrid player sat on the bench for 48 minutes of the match without being able to get on the pitch.
After the pending signature Eurobasket with Spain and leave good feelings in preparation, especially in defense, Stefanos Silas He preferred not to enter the rotation.
A surprising decision because he was the one who beat even the promising Alperen Sengun Bruno Ferdinandwho started and played 25 minutes.
After starting the season without playing, it’s time to analyze the “competitionin the Houston Rockets rotation Usman Garouba.
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Usman Garuba’s competition in the Houston Rockets rotation
Before the start of the current season main rival that Usman Garouba had on the roster of the Houston Rockets was Kenyon Martin Jr., a physical player with many skills who earned a spot in the rotation last year. With Alperen Sengun considered a starter after his impressive and promising first year at EuroBasket, there was nothing to predict that the man from Azuda would be completely out at the first change. But then he appeared Bruno Fernando.
The interior from Angola had not been able to find his place in the NBA after being selected in 2019 by the Atlanta Hawks. Promising in high school, Fernando needed several seasons to be up to the required level physically and defensively. The impressive thing is that the 24-year-old player appeared in this course with his contract training campwhich soon became a double directioned for later The Rockets signed him for four years for $10.8 million.
In the blink of an eye, Ferdinand has earned the position Sengun, Martin and Garuba and he has done so thanks to his verticality and offensive flexibility. The Angolan plays above the rim, executes on direct blocks and works well away from the basket.
In this way, Garuba will have to fight for the place of four or five substitutes with Kenyon Martin, that in the season premiere he wasn’t very accurate (1 of 7 on TC in 23 minutes). The son of the legendary power forward has work and a good physique, but he still can’t control his offensive explosiveness, while defensively he struggles to match up with others in his position.
The context of the former Real Madrid is not very favorable but he should get the occasional chance soon, especially when during the pre-season he was creditable in his contributions. Sober in attack but decisive at the same time, in addition to fulfilling in defense against physically superior opponents.
Ousmane Garouba’s contract status with the Houston Rockets
As part of the scale contract rookie and this is a pattern for all those selected in the First Round of the Draft, Ousmane Garouba is in his second of four guaranteed seasons with the Houston Rockets. The related issue is that his NBA future is currently uncertain, at least in the Texas franchise, which has until October 31 to make a decision.
The Rockets have the option as a team to accept the clause that would automatically extend and guarantee their salary and presence through the 2023-2024 season.
Although time flies Houston also has not exercised the option on Jaylen Green or Josh Christopher. so far, so alarm bells shouldn’t go off yet, but it’s something to watch out for in the near future.
The contract of Usman Garouba
| Time | Salary | preparation factors |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 2.4 cm | – |
| 2023-2024 | 2.5 cm | Team Selection (Deadline October 31) |
| 2024-2025 | 4.3 cm | Team Selection (Deadline 31 October 2023) |
| 2025-2026 | 6.3 cm | Certified offer |
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the NBA or its organizations.
