ROCKET SCIENCE

Let's discuss the newest addition to the Houston Rockets​

The Rockets made a big move on Friday night.Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Christian Wood signed a three-year $41 million dollar contract with the Houston Rockets on Friday night. About five years ago, the Rockets signed Woods after going undrafted in 2015. Woods played his college basketball at UNLV before entering the NBA. After the 2015 Summer League, the Rockets waived Woods before he started his career in Philadelphia.

Woods became an NBA journeyman as he improved his game on five different teams. He played in the NBA G-League too, which helped build his confidence. The newly signed Rocket averaged 23 points per game, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in the G-League. As Woods went back and forth from the NBA to G-League, his shooting improved.

Woods shot a career-high 39 percent from the perimeter while averaging 13 points per game with the Detroit Pistons. When Andre Drummond was traded from the Pistons to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Woods increased his play tremendously. He was averaging 22 points per game, shooting 41 percent from the perimeter with 10 rebounds in 34 minutes. The Pistons only had 15 games left in the season before the NBA got furloughed because of COVID-19, so the sample size isn't huge.

Hopefully, the Rockets find a way for Russell Westbrook and James Harden to stay and play with Woods. He can stretch the floor easily because of his athletic frame at 6'10 and 7'4 wingspan. The Rockets got more than a traditional big man because of his ability to create 15 ft from the basket. Woods can also become a great pick-n-roll and pick-n-pop partner to Westbrook and Harden if they decide to stay with the Rockets. The excitement is real because of the upside and ability Woods could add to the Rockets' offense.

Even with the excitement around Woods, the Rockets are still looking to add to their depth. Recently the Rockets drafted Kenyon Martin Jr, spoke with DeMarcus Cousins, and could possibly move Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for John Wall. Stay tuned, because anything could happen at a moment's notice.

Rafael Stone has been impressive so far as GM for the Rockets, but hopefully, more moves are made as the Western Conference continues to get more difficult with the Lakers constantly improving their roster.

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The Astros have assigned left-handed reliever Matt Gage to minor league camp, which means Houston's pitching staff is likely to head into the season without a lefty in the bullpen.

Ronel Blanco and Seth Martinez are expected to be the last two pitchers in the Astros bullpen now that Gage isn't expected to fill a spot on the club. With the Astros playing so many games in the month of April, could we see Blanco or Martinez making some starts with Lance McCullers still on the shelf?

Plus, should the Astros check in on Yuli Gurriel for some depth considering his versatility and the loss of Jose Altuve for the first couple months of the season? Gurriel still hasn't been added to the Marlins 40-man roster, which means he can opt out of his deal on Saturday if nothing changes.

Based on how things played out for Carlos Correa, the guys aren't very confident the Astros would change their stance on Yuli. But you never know.

Be sure to check out the video above as we break it all down!

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