Rockets Signing Tristen Newton To Two-Way Contract

Newton, a 24-year-old shooting guard, signed a two-way deal with Minnesota in September and was waived prior to the start of the season. He has been playing for the Iowa Wolves in the G League, where he’s averaging 26.8 points, 7.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.

Newton was selected by Indiana with the 49th pick in the 2024 draft, and he appeared in five games on a two-way contract before being released early last January. Minnesota claimed him off waivers, and he saw action in three more NBA games.

Newton will be eligible to appear in up to 29 games with Houston if his new contract is finalized by the end of the day. His two-way salary will become fully guaranteed as long as he remains on the roster through Wednesday.

Smith, a 21-year-old power forward, hasn’t made any NBA appearances since signing his two-way deal with the Rockets on December 2. He was the 33rd pick in the 2024 draft and got into 23 games with Milwaukee last season.