Rockets waive three players

The Rockets have waived Bryce Harris, Cameron Matthews and Caleb McConnell, according to NBA.com’s official transaction log.

All three were on Exhibit 10 contracts and are expected to join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. They’ll be eligible for bonuses worth up to $91,000 apiece if they spend at least 60 days with Houston’s G League affiliate.

The Rockets still have work to do before Monday’s roster deadline. They’re carrying 16 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals, leaving them one over the standard roster limit.

Oscar Tshiebwe and Julian Phillips remain on Exhibit 10 contracts, and one appears likely to fill the open two-way spot. Houston also has Isaiah Crawford on a non-guaranteed deal and Jae’Sean Tate on a partially guaranteed contract, along with 12 players whose salaries are fully guaranteed.

Converting either Tshiebwe or Phillips to a two-way deal would get the Rockets within roster limits. But keeping the other on a standard contract would leave Houston with 15 players and push its payroll above the luxury tax line.

The Rockets sit just $14,000 below that threshold, so the expectation has been that they’ll begin the season with the 15th spot open. That would mean another departure before opening night.