Not surprisingly! ESPN broke the news that the Rockets decided to exercise Tate's team option for next season, and he will receive an annual salary of $7.6 million.
Tate once earned Udoka's approval with his defense, and he also started nine games last season. However, Tate didn't play the starting lineup well, as his lack of height led to a loss in rebounding, and his lack of shooting ability affected the team's offensive space.
Rockets general manager Stone wanted Whitmore more time, Udoka agreed, and Tate was reduced to a fringe player in the second half.
Judging from the current situation, the Rockets should want to keep Tate as a trade chip. General manager Stone had a first-round pick for Tate, but no team was willing to offer that price.
Now Tate's trade value has declined, but after all, he is a defensive giant, and he can still trade back for a second-round pick.
Last season's trade deadline was revealed by Michael Scotto that Tate attracted interest from several playoff-caliber teams. Houston reporter Kelly Eco once broke the news that the Mavericks were willing to send two second-round picks to Tate, but the Rockets wanted at least three second-round picks. The two sides could not reach an agreement, and in the end Tate stayed.
Tate stays, and Langdale and Jeff Green are also set to regularize their contracts, with Shepard and AJ Griffin joining. The team also has six young players Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Smith Jr., Eason, Amen and Whitmore, Udoka two favorites Van Jordan and Dillon, and new signing Adams.
The Rockets currently have 14 official contracts and one spot remaining.
Houston Chronicle reporter Fagan said ahead of the draft that the Rockets may keep the non-luxury tax middle-class exception in their hands instead of going directly to the free agent market. The middle-class exception earns about $13 million a year for up to four years.
According to the rules, each NBA team can have three players on two-way contracts in addition to 15 official contracts.
The Rockets have previously signed undrafted center Nfarly Dant, a 2.08-meter-tall center with a 2.29-meter reach, to a two-way contract.
The Rockets' second two-way contract is reserved for guard Ginason Williams, who is 1.96m tall, and Stone has already made a qualifying offer to him.
Nfarly Dante can grab rebounds and protect the rim, and Genethan Williams has the ability to score, shooting 40 percent from three-point range last season.
Some Rockets fans wonder which of Hinton or Samuels will stay.
Houston reporter Kelly Eco said Hinton and Samuels don't expect to receive a qualifying offer for a two-way contract.
Hinton is a defensive swingman but doesn't have the projection ability to open up space. Samuels is a striker, lacking in talent, who knows a little bit of everything, but doesn't stand out.
Hinton, who used to be a member of the University of Houston, wanted to stay with the Rockets, but it looked like he didn't have a chance. After Hinton left, the Rockets' No. 14 jersey was vacant.
Rockets recruit Griffin Jr. will likely opt for the 14-jersey, which he wore when he was with the Hawks.
According to the information revealed on the Rockets' official website, Shepard will wear the number 15 jersey.