Rockets To Exercise Team Option To Keep K.J. Martin Next Season

HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets and the NBA represent a constantly-in-motion thing... and Inside the Rockets, powered by Sports Illustrated, is here to chronicle it for you - news and rumors from H-Town and beyond concerning the NBA Free Agency...

JUNE 29 ROCKETS EXERCISE TEAM OPTION TO KEEP K.J. MARTIN:

The Rockets have decided K.J. Martin's immediate future. As reported by The Athletic, Houston has exercised its team option on Martin for the 2023-24 season. He is slated to make $1.9 million next season. 

Martin averaged 12.7 points on 56.9 percent shooting and 5.5 rebounds across 82 games. A source told Inside the Rockets that Houston will "likely" sign him to an extension this summer.

The Rockets have extended qualifying offers to second-year prospects Darius Days and Trevor Hudgins, which would make them restricted free agents.

JUNE 28 IS JAMES HARDEN OUT OF THE RUNNING FOR THE ROCKETS:

The Rockets have been a major free-agency destination for James Harden since December. But two days before the future Hall-of-Famer hits the open market, Kelly Iko said Houston could be out of the running for Harden.

"In recent days I’ve understood that Houston is no longer an option for James. I would call them out of the running. From the Rockets’ perspective, that makes sense considering James was never interested in taking any kind of discount.”

Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, said the franchise is interested in retaining Harden since their season ended on May 14.

JUNE 27 ROCKETS TO OFFER FRED VANVLEET A TWO-YEAR CONTRACT?

Toronto Raptors Fred VanVleet is entering free agency on Friday as one of the top point guards on the market. And according to Yahoo Sports, the Rockets could make a significant two-year contract offer for the veteran guard.

"While staying with the Raptors still sounds like it’s on the table for both parties, Houston is prepared to offer VanVleet a very competitive deal, while all those whispers about a James Harden return have noticeably decreased in recent weeks." Jake Fischer per