Three weeks after losing Kevin Porter Jr. (arrested for assault), the Rockets filled what likely would have been his intended on-court role by signing veteran NBA wing Reggie Bullock. Houston had an open roster spot entering training camp after waiving Joshua Obiesie.
Financial terms of the deal, which was first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, weren’t immediately clear. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that it is a one-year contract.
Buy Rockets TicketsNow 32 years old, Bullock first entered the league in 2013 as a first-round draft pick of the Clippers. A 6-foot-7 guard/forward capable of providing strong defense at multiple positions, Bullock played his last two years in Dallas, where he shot 38.0% on 3-pointers last season.
In July, Bullock was traded for financial reasons to San Antonio as part of a three-team deal sending Boston’s Grant Williams to the Mavericks. But facing a roster crunch and with no immediate expectations of winning, the rebuilding Spurs chose to buy out the final year of his contract while letting him hit the open market.
As it turns out, Bullock chose a team in Houston that — while not trying to contend for a title — is aiming to be much more competitive under the guidance of first-year head coach Ime Udoka. If everyone is healthy, Bullock likely slides in as a backup wing behind starting shooting guard Jalen Green and small forward Dillon Brooks.
Here’s a look at immediate reaction to the deal, along with Bullock’s highlights from last season with the Mavericks. In 30.3 minutes per game with Dallas, Bullock averaged 7.2 points (38.0% on 3-pointers) and 3.6 rebounds last season.
Reggie Bullock commits to Houston
Free agent Reggie Bullock plans to sign with the Houston Rockets after he clears waivers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Bullock – a 38.4% 3-point shooter over 10 NBA seasons – fielded interest from several teams following buyout and gives Houston a reliable 3&D wing. pic.twitter.com/S75ORwiBsX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 3, 2023
Reggie Bullock highlights
Reggie Bullock deal reaction
Oh! This is significant. Bullock can play.
He’ll slide into what would have been the KPJ bench role. https://t.co/nDX7eDVj8m
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) October 3, 2023
Guessing this is a Room MLE signing. That’s the only way I see the #Rockets beating offers from contenders. https://t.co/ugh9aVx5IJ
— David Weiner (@BimaThug) October 3, 2023
Wow. This fills their biggest glaring hole. Very nice pickup. https://t.co/wvlmziMu8g
— Andrew Soukup (@asoukuptx) October 3, 2023
Yooo that's a really nice get! Hell yeah https://t.co/51Urpm7YxQ
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) October 3, 2023
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO
WE GOT OUR SHOOTER WITHOUT GIVING UP ASSETS https://t.co/5eO6Ovv8x4
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 3, 2023
Backup 2 that can shoot was the last rotation hole they really had 👍 https://t.co/KsVPL8QuDA
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) October 3, 2023
This is the perfect signing for the Rockets. They lacked shooting and now they have a legitimate outside threat. This is the type of signing they used to make when they were consistently winning https://t.co/hZAxiXsSqx
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 3, 2023
There is the shooting Rockets fans have been looking for that they didn’t get in the offseason. https://t.co/eLfQGij25t
— B.Scott (@brandonkscott) October 3, 2023
Another professional veteran. I don’t dislike it. https://t.co/kLYtGSzNtP
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) October 3, 2023
Have to respect the general idea of the Rockets' offseason: If we want the kids to learn to play defense, maybe we should surround them with veterans who defend? https://t.co/oMqHrGQ8Ip
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) October 3, 2023
Reggie Bullock is basically what we wanted KPJ to boil his game down to this year:
-Dont overdribble
-Dont overthink, shoot when you’re open/hot
-Play defense
-Great floor spacingTo get him for free likely means not spending assets on someone like Brogdon
Smart move #Rockets pic.twitter.com/qjQXcmY9uK
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) October 3, 2023
The Rockets are signing 3&D wing Reggie Bullock off waivers
Reggie shot 38% from 3 last season and is a career 42.5% 3 point shooter
Nice to get some more spacing off the bench in Houston 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/MENiZKe60Q
— Clutch City Entertainment (@ClutchCityENTX) October 3, 2023
Rockets still having the room mle and using it on Bullock would be a nice and welcome pivot after their chaotic free agency.
— Nathan Fogg (@NathanFogg1) October 3, 2023
Rockets add Reggie Bullock as another veteran piece https://t.co/6G2j7L5oTd via @houstonchron
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 3, 2023