With a roster spot open after waiving Nate Williams, the Rockets are filling it by signing Josh Okogie to a one-year, $3.1-million contract.
The Rockets get it!!! They’re loaded at the Wing position which is the MOST IMPORTANT position in the league especially when you’re trying to win the Chip. Gotta have Wings that can defend at a HIGH level.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 22, 2025
With a roster spot open after the recent release of Nate Williams, the Houston Rockets are signing veteran guard/forward Josh Okogie to a one-year, $3.1-million contract, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
A 6-foot-4 wing with a long 7-foot-0 wingspan, Okogie is well regarded for his perimeter defense. In 40 games last season with the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets, the 26-year-old averaged 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 15.6 minutes per game.
“Okogie enters his eighth NBA season and gives the Rockets another active wing defender,” Charania posted to X. “He averaged a career high 1.2 steals and ranked fourth in steals per 36 minutes among players to appear in 40 games or more last season.”
Okogie’s strong defense should be a good fit for head coach Ime Udoka, whose Rockets ranked in the NBA’s top five defensive units last season. Signings such as Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith can potentially help replace any lost production from Dillon Brooks, who went to Phoenix in the blockbuster trade bringing All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston.
“Houston, we have a problem,” Okogie posted to X.
While primarily known as a wing defender, it’s worth noting that Okogie shot 34.8% on 3-pointers last season, representing the best clip of his NBA career to date.
The one-year contract between Okogie and the Rockets is fully guaranteed for the 2025-26 season, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle.
Rockets officials and agent Calvin Andrews of Klutch Sports negotiated the new deal for Okogie, who averaged a career high 1.2 steals and ranked fourth in steals per 36 minutes among players to appear in 40 games or more last season. https://t.co/xsy87967Su
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2025
Houston, we have a problem. 🚀🤘🏽
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) July 22, 2025
To clarify, Okogie’s deal can be fully guaranteed without busting the hard cap. It’s just that they can’t sign anyone ELSE right now if Okogie’s deal is fully guaranteed.
— David Weiner #🟦 (@BimaThug) July 22, 2025