Is a Former Rocket Making a Comeback to the NBA?

Rumors have been circulating in the media that former Houston Rockets center Montrezl Harrell is attempting to return to the NBA.The 32-year-old was spotted playing with Houston’s G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Reports state that he went to participate in the team’s open tryouts.

Harrell was selected 32nd overall in the 2015 draft by the Houston Rockets. He was part of Houston’s roster until 2017, when he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. In 2020, Harrell won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He received 58 first-place votes and was given the award over Dennis Schröder, who received the second most votes.

In the award-winning year, Harrell averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. His shooting was incredibly efficient, as he converted 58% of his attempts.Harrell’s NBA career was cut short due to injury.  

In 2023, Harrell had re-signed with the 76ers, and during the preseason training camp he started to feel pain and swelling in his knee. On August 2, 2023, an MRI revealed the damage: Harrell had suffered a severe ACL tear along with a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. Harrell underwent successful surgery to repair the ligament and cartilage, but due to the 76ers having a lot of roster depth and the seriousness of Harrell’s injury, the 76ers waived the center.

Harrell has not played in the NBA since, but he did play in the Australian National Basketball League during the 2024-25 season. Harrell was performing high-energy dunks; his knee seemed like it was back to full health.Harrell was also putting up big numbers: he averaged 20.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. However, his contract with the Adelaide 36ers was terminated in September 2025 due to a positive drug test for THC.

He then played in Ice Cube’s BIG3 professional 3-on-3 league this summer. Although the games were only played to 50 points, Harrell averaged a dominating 30.6 points per game and broke the league’s single-game scoring record by putting up 42 points. His dominating performances earned him the “Too Hard to Guard” award. This gave him the confidence to participate in the open tryouts on September 12, 2026, for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

I would be shocked if he doesn't make the G League team, but the Houston roster is currently stacked with a lot of depth. In fact, the Rockets have the luxury of having three reliable centers: Clint Capela, Steven Adams, and Alperen Şengün.

Because of this, Harrell has a lot to prove before he can earn valuable minutes in the NBA. Is there a chance we will seem him play in a Houston jersey this year?