Rockets Decline Options For Hasheem Thabeet, Terrence Williams And Jonny Flynn

Network Bar

By Jonathan Tjarks - Newsdesk contributor

All three will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and possibly looking for their third NBA team in their young careers.

Jan 25, 2012 - The Houston Rockets declined to exercise the fourth-year options on former first-round draft picks Hasheem Thabeet, Terrence Williams and Jonny Flynn on Wednesday Jan. 25, making all three players unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.

None of the three players were originally drafted by Houston, but the Rockets front office elected to gamble on all three to see if a second chance would redeem their NBA careers.

However, none have been a prominent part of Houston's rotation during the Rockets seven game winning streak, making the large cap hits that would entail picking up their options unnecessary.

Thabeet, a 7'3 260 center out of UConn taken No. 2 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, has appeared in only two games this season, as he's never been able to add enough to his offensive game to justify his presence on the floor.

Flynn, a 6'0 185 point guard out of Syracuse taken No. 6 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, has appeared in only five games, as he's been unable to find consistent playing time behind rising young star Kyle Lowry.

Williams, a 6'6 220 small forward out of Louisville taken No. 11 overall by the New Jersey Nets, appeared in seven games before losing his spot in the rotation to 6'10 rookie Chandler Parsons.

All three are still under-25 former lottery picks, so it's probably too soon to write off their NBA careers, but it's looking increasingly likely that they won't live up to their potential in Houston.

For the latest news and notes on the Rockets, head over to The Dream Shake.