Houston Rockets Release Former NBA 1st-Round Pick

The Houston Rockets have played two preseason games. They most recently defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 122-113 (in overtime) last week. Before Tuesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced that they had waived two players. Via Keith Smith of Spotrac: "The Houston Rockets announced they have waived Thon Maker and Markquis Nowell." Maker was the tenth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. He has spent five seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers (and Bucks). His career averages are 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest while shooting 43.5% from the field and 32.7% from the three-point range in 263 regular season games. The 27-year-old also appeared in 16 NBA playoff games with the Bucks and Pistons. Meanwhile, Nowell appeared in one game with the Toronto Raptors last season. The former Kansas State star averaged 15.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 10.1 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while shooting 41.7% from the field and 40.7% from the three-poin