2021-22 Rockets roster review, offseason outlook: David Nwaba
(Editor’s note: We are conducting individual reviews of all players from the Houston Rockets who finished the 2021-22 season with the team. To access other reviews as part of this ongoing series, click here.)
Rockets Player: David Nwaba, 6-foot-5 wing, 29 years old
2021-22 statistics in Houston: 5.1 points (48.3% FG, 30.6% on 3-pointers), 3.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes
Professional Experience: 6 NBA seasons
Contract Status: Under contract for 2022-23 at $5.0 million; team option at $5.4 million for 2023-24
After averaging nearly 23 minutes per game in 2020-21 and becoming a rotation piece for Stephen Silas when healthy, Houston re-signed Nwaba in 2021 free agency to a two-year deal with a team option for a third year. However, Nwaba found his average minutes slashed by nearly 10 per game, and he fell out of the rotation for large stretches of the year.
Nwaba, who is respected for his defense and leadership, is beloved in Houston’s locker room and referred to as “Uncle Dave” by some of his younger teammates with the rebuilding Rockets.
Highlights
Analysis
Nwaba’s strengths are clear: He brings elite athleticism to the table, which makes him a force in transition and a dynamic and versatile defender. He also has the strength to cover a wide range of positions.
His weakness, unfortunately, is also clear. In two seasons with the Rockets, Nwaba is shooting just 28.6% on 3-pointers, and on relatively low volume at only 1.5 per 16.9 minutes. With his 30th birthday coming next season, it’s hard to envision that changing at this stage of his career.
Outlook
Aside from intangible factors and his locker-room and practice-court value, Nwaba was probably more valuable as a player in 2020-21 playing next to veteran guards like John Wall, Victor Oladipo, and (briefly) James Harden. With established decision-makers, it was easier for Nwaba to play to his strengths and create value offensively by making off-ball cuts — and allowing a floor-general type to feed him.
Source : yahoo
