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The Launch Pad · Morning

The Launch Pad: Two New Names Join a Crowded Camp

Houston wraps preseason at 2-1, adds Caleb McConnell and Bryce Harris, and now must trim to size before the opener.

By the Rockets Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 17

Houston closed out exhibition play with a 116-89 rout of Oklahoma City, then added guard Caleb McConnell and forward Bryce Harris to camp on Oct. 17. That pushes training-camp numbers past the regular-season limit with the Dallas opener four days away.

Rockets Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Oct. 15

Houston finished its exhibition slate by routing Oklahoma City 116-89, building a 29-point lead behind Alperen Sengun's 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in 24 minutes. Bogdan Bogdanovic led all scorers with 15 on 5-of-8 shooting from three. The result put Houston's preseason mark at 2-1 heading into next week.

Oct. 16

A day-to-day tag on Tari Eason for an undisclosed issue cleared the same day it appeared, per the injury log. The Athletic's preseason outlook, published the same day, projected Kevin Durant scoring less and defending more this year. Separately, a GM poll cited by the Dream Shake named Amen Thompson the league's top perimeter defender.

Oct. 17

Houston added guard Caleb McConnell and forward Bryce Harris to the roster, the fourth and fifth camp additions since late September. That lifts the player count to 21 on the depth chart, well past the 15 standard spots plus two two-way slots the regular season allows.

This week

Houston now has to cut roughly six players before Dallas comes to Toyota Center, a roster math problem bigger than a payroll one. Payroll already runs $205.5 million, above the $200.4 million luxury-tax line, with Durant ($43.9M) and Sengun ($35.6M) the two biggest numbers. None of the coming trims are expected to change that figure.

Next The regular season opens Oct. 21 against Dallas at Toyota Center, four days out, with road trips to San Antonio and Atlanta and a home date with the Hawks following within the week.
Who did the Rockets sign on Oct. 17?

Houston added guard Caleb McConnell and forward Bryce Harris to training camp.

When do the Rockets play their season opener?

Houston opens the regular season Oct. 21 at home against Dallas.

By the Rockets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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