Rafael Stone’s clever contract engineering transforms a potential salary cap disaster into a potential trade asset, offering the Rockets a strategic escape from an underperforming veteran’s deal.
It’s no secret that the Houston Rockets made a significant mistake last summer. While the ideal version of Dorian Finney-Smith would’ve fit like a glove on this team, that’s unfortunately not what we got.
It’s hard to blame him, as he just struggled to find a rhythm or consistent minutes after his prolonged recovery from ankle surgery. Sometimes the body just doesn’t work the way you want. Hopefully he can get back to full form, but a down year really tarnished his trade value.
Take one quick peek at his contract and you might be caught off guard. $52 million over four years felt long at the time, but still owing him $39 million for the next three years feels like a death sentence.
Thankfully for the Rockets, Rafael Stone was able to work up a very unique contract. The first two years will be fully guaranteed, but the third year is not.
If the Rockets (or any team that he’s on at the time) decide to guarantee his third year, then he’ll get a player option for his fourth and final year. I believe the more likely outcome is that he gets waived next summer, ending that contract.
This would effectively make it a two year deal for $26 million, which is much easier to stomach. It also means he’s technically an expiring contract and a more valuable asset than one might think.
I’ll be interested to see if this unique contract structure makes it easier to move a player who’s underperforming.
