Rockets center Hasheem Thabeet, Daryl Morey’s trade deadline big man gamble, will be sent down to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Developmental League. Rio Grande plays its first game Monday night against the Idaho Stampede, and Thabeet will be given around 20 minutes a game to start with as the team attempts to give him some minutes and playing time.
Thabeet had previously been assigned down to the D-League by the Grizzlies, who dealt him and a protected first round draft pick to the Rockets at the trade deadline for forward Shane Battier. The former No. 2 overall pick is still very raw offensively, and commits plenty of fouls for someone with his defensive tools.
For the Rockets, Thabeet checked into just two games this season, garnering four total minutes, one block and one missed shot. For the Grizzlies, he’s contributed 1.2 PPG and 1.7 RPG off the bench in limited minutes.