Rafael Castro is off the Houston Rockets roster as of Thursday, Oct. 1, according to the team's official roster. The move follows a report from Brett Siegel that the Rockets waived the two-way center.
The move
Rafael Castro, a 23-year-old rookie center, is no longer on the Houston Rockets roster, per the team's official roster as of Thursday, Oct. 1. The move was preceded by a report the same day from Brett Siegel, "Rockets Waive Two-Way Player Rafael Castro," with confidence not listed. Castro's next destination is not announced.
The money
Castro's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing or waiver by a day. Houston's own payroll sits at $205.5 million across 16 contracts for 2026-27, over the luxury tax. The salary cap is $165.0 million, the tax line is $200.4 million, the first apron is $209.0 million and the second apron is $221.7 million.
The fit
Castro has no NBA line from last season. At center, Houston's rotation last season was led by Alperen Sengun at 33.3 minutes and 20.4 points per game, with Steven Adams at 22.8 minutes and 5.8 points. The Rockets currently list 18 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots.
Why is Rafael Castro off the Rockets roster?
He is not on Houston's official roster as of Thursday, Oct. 1. A report from Brett Siegel the same day said the Rockets waived the two-way player; the Rockets have not separately confirmed the move.
Where does Castro go next?
Not announced.
Does this change Houston's center depth?
The rotation data on file does not include Castro, who had no NBA line last season. Houston's listed center minutes last season were led by Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams.