2020 ScheduleAll times ET

2020 Schedule
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Yao Ming's immediate and lasting impact on the NBA (0:36)
How China fell in love with the NBA (3:29)

Bobby Marks ESPN 

Here are the full details on the creative Nene contract with the Rockets. Houston signed the veteran to a two-year $20M contract. However, the base comp for 2019-20 is $2.56M comparable to a minimum contract (but signed using the bird exception) with $7.44M in likely bonuses, bringing his cap hit to $10M this season. The full $10M cap hit can be used in a trade after Jan. 15. and is now a valuable trade chip. The bonuses in his contract are broken down into 3 categories; 1) $2.435M for playing at least 10 games and 52+ wins; 2) $2.5M for playing at least 25 games and 52+ wins; 3) $2.5M for playing at least 40 games and 52+ wins. The bonuses are deemed likely because Nene played in 42 games last season and the team won 53 games. Had the bonuses been unlikely, the Rockets would have been capped at $384K (15% of his salary) in bonuses that could be added for this season. The Rockets are now $353K below the luxury tax, not including the $7.44M in likely bonuses for this season. The $2.69M base comp in 2020-21 becomes fully guaranteed if Nene is not waived by Feb. 15., 2020, nine days after the trade deadline.

Bobby Marks ESPN 

Houston eliminated $1.8M in financial exposure when they converted the Shamorie Ponds and William McDowell-White contract into a Two-Way. Both players were originally signed on July 2 to a standard contract but did not have an Exhibit 9 in each contract. An Exhibit 9 protects the team in case a player suffers a long-term injury. For example, Houston would have owed $898K to Ponds if he suffered a season ending injury. The team would have been charged the cap hit plus a $700K+ tax variance. The exhibit was not allowed because the Rockets at the time did not have 14 players on the roster. Both Two-Way contracts would eventually be converted into a standard contract but this time with an Exhibit 9 attached. If either player suffers an injury during camp, Houston is now only responsible for $6K. The two players also have an Exhibit 10 in their contract allowing them to receive a $50K bonus if they spend 60-days with the Rockets G-League team in Rio Grande.

The NBA's new 'Big 2' era (1:56)
Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images
15dAdrian Wojnarowski

Sources: Rockets, Gordon reach $54.5M deal

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon has agreed to a three-year, $54.5 million contract extension that will take him through the 2022-23 season, league sources told ESPN

Adrian Wojnarowski NBA 

Eric Gordon will get three-years, $54.5M guaranteed on his extension, per source, starting with the 2020-2021 season -- $16.9M, $18.2M, and $19.6M. The non-guaranteed fourth season would earn him $20.9M. Fourth season becomes guaranteed if he makes an All-Star team or the Rockets win a championship.

1:03

Tim MacMahon ESPN Staff Writer 

Rockets star James Harden's foundation has committed $500,000 to refurbish basketball courts in Houston as part of his charitable efforts throughout the city. "Since I stepped here day one, they've embraced me," Harden said after giving bikes to dozens of children at Tuffly Park as part of his annual JH-Town Weekend. "They've opened the door and just showed me so much love that I felt the need to give it back."

Joe Murphy/Getty Images
22d

Tom Nissalke, first coach of Utah Jazz, dies at 87

Tom Nissalke, who was the first coach of the Utah Jazz and also coached in the NBA in Seattle, Houston and Cleveland, has died at age 87. He also was the ABA Coach of the Year with Dallas.

Behind the scenes of Chris Paul's Body Issue shoot (3:32)
Stephen A.: Harden won MVP for the same reason he criticizes (1:34)
Harden shows off a new move (0:20)
AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
29d

Rockets' Tucker withdraws from Team USA camp

P.J. Tucker said he twisted his left ankle twice during Team USA practices, and the Rockets forward thought it best to withdraw from consideration for the World Cup roster.

Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images
30d

Morey: 'Factual' Harden a better scorer than MJ

Rockets GM Daryl Morey has always championed his players, and he has gone to a new extreme in praising James Harden, saying his star guard is a better scorer than Michael Jordan.

Cain: It's absurd to think Harden is a better scorer than MJ (1:28)
Jalen is hyped for Russ' return to OKC, Lakers-Clippers on Christmas (1:52)
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
43d

Sources: Clips vs. Lakers tops Christmas games

The Clippers and Lakers will play at Staples Center on Dec. 25, sources told ESPN. Other Christmas Day games include Bucks at 76ers and Celtics at Raptors, sources said.

Al Bello/Getty Images
44d

After doubts, Melo confident he wants to play

Carmelo Anthony, after doubting himself following his release from the Rockets after 10 games last season, said he's "in the gym every single day" and wants to play in the NBA.

Adrian Wojnarowski NBA 

Christmas Day games set for 2019-2020 NBA season include Clippers-Lakers, Pelicans at Nuggets, Celtics at Raptors, Bucks at 76ers (Malika Andrews) and Rockets at Warriors (Tim MacMahon).

Carmelo: Leaving Rockets was 'deeper than basketball' (1:42)
Melo: Wasn't my choice to step away but had to (0:47)
Melo: Never said anything about a farewell tour (1:04)
David J. Phillip / Associated Press
50dRoyce Young

Westbrook: Ready to sacrifice for Rockets, title

After spending his first 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook officially embarked on his new chapter Friday. "I only care about one team," he said, "and that's the Houston Rockets."

Team Stats

Points Per Game113.911th
Rebounds Per Game42.128th
Assists Per Game21.228th
Points Allowed109.121st

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Team History

YEARWLPCT
2018-195329.646
2017-186517.793
2016-175527.671
2015-164141.500