The Rockets tendered a two-way qualifying offer to center N’Faly Dante and will not tender one to forward Jack McVeigh, according to media reports. Both players were on two-way contracts with Houston last season.
A two-way qualifying offer makes that player a restricted free agent in the offseason, and it typically indicates at least some level of baseline interest in bringing him back in that role for the following season.
Houston’s third two-way slot currently belongs to forward David Roddy, who is already signed for 2025-26 on his two-year contract.
Last season’s NBA G League statistics for that trio, which finished 2024-25 as Houston’s three two-way players, were as follows:
Between McVeigh’s advanced age and reduced defensive ability, relative to the other two, he was likely viewed as the most expendable. He was brought in largely as a 3-point specialist, and while 37.0% was a respectable clip, it wasn’t an elite one.
McVeigh could potentially return to Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, on a 2025-26 contract that isn’t a two-way deal. But he’ll certainly give preference to any NBA opportunities that arise (i.e. a two-way contract with another team) before considering that scenario.
Houston’s open two-way slot could be filled by any number of candidates in the ensuing weeks and months, including undrafted free agent signing Cameron Matthews (out of Mississippi State).
Players on two-way deals can go back and forth between the Rockets and Vipers. Because Houston (52-30) finished last season as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, its two-way players did not get nearly as many NBA minutes as many other two-way players did elsewhere in the league. However, the depth is certainly useful in the event of injuries.
With two-way contracts relatively inexpensive in terms of guaranteed money, it’s always possible that Houston could change its plans on any of these players at a later date — should an opportunity arise that the team views as a preferable alternative.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets two-way deals: N’Faly Dante, David Roddy likely in, Jack McVeigh reportedly out
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
