The Houston Rockets made a mid-offseason roster shift on July 13th, by signing forward Cam Matthews and waiving Nate Williams. Cam Matthews is an undrafted rookie free agent from Mississippi State. He joins the team as part of a move to optimize roster flexibility ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season.
The Houston Rockets haven’t finalized their roster, with the last spot still open. While Matthews could impress during training camp and claim it, alternatively, the Rockets might hold off and sign another player to a minimum salary deal later in the 2025 offseason if needed.
Cam Matthews Brings Grit to Rockets Roster
Cam Matthews was a key player for Mississippi State over five seasons. He set school records by playing in 167 games. Known for his defense, he twice made the SEC All-Defensive Team and became the school’s all-time steals leader.
During his final year, Matthews played 34 games and averaged 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Although teams didn’t draft him in 2025, but NBA scouts noticed him during pre-draft workouts and Summer League games.
On July 13, Rockets signed Matthews to an Exhibit 10 deal for training camp. The team looked at his potential and planned to have him compete for a two-way contract. This contract is a development with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Rockets sees Matthews as a new defensive identity for new NBA season. This move could be a small step toward building a grittier bench that can support Houston’s young stars.
Why the Houston Rockets Waived Off Nate Williams?
Joined Houston in 2023, Nate Williams was on a two-way deal after a stint with the Utah G League and Portland. He earned a standard NBA contract in March 2025, with a four-year, $8.2 million deal.
Nate Williams appeared in 42 games over two seasons with Houston, averaging about 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 8.6 minutes per game. He posted strong Summer League numbers, but the Rockets ultimately waived him off.
Williams had finished up the 2024-25 regular season on a standard contract with the Rockets, and he went into the offseason with a deal that had yet to guarantee for 2025-26.
What This Roster Shake-Up Means for the 2025–26 Season?
The Rockets waived Nate Williams, whose $2.27 million contract which was not guaranteed. The team signed Cam Matthews, an undrafted rookie, to an Exhibit 10 deal. Both the players are playing for NBA summer league in Las Vegas this year.
Houston Rockets have four games left. Their upcoming two games are on upcoming Sunday and Monday afternoons. The team will fight against the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks. Here’s the schedule if you want to catch the action.
This shows Houston is still working on developing young players and keeping their roster flexible for the 2025–26 season.
READ: Kevin Durant Traded to Houston Rockets in Stunning Offseason Shake-Up
