Rockets Reportedly View Isaiah Crawford as a Long-Term Option

The Houston Rockets are loaded at the wing position. As we've heard countless times.

The Rockets have such depth at the position that coach Ime Udoka has utilized all-wing lineups, in place of his highly preferred double big lineup, which consists of two centers. Most of Houston’s wings are defensive-leaning, mainly comprised of 3-and-D profiles, which has grown to be highly coveted around the league over the years.

Not many of the Rockets’ wings are scorers, outside of Kevin Durant, although he’s an anomaly, as he’s one of the greatest scorers ever. Amen Thompson isa stalwart on both ends of the floor, although he’s somewhat hampered by his inability to shoot.

Granted, he’s not afraid to shoot threes, which is encouraging, but it’s still essentially a turnover whenever he shoots 3-point shots. He’s making just 22.3 percent of his triples on 1.5 long-range attempts.

Thompson is shooting just 24.2 percent on his corner three-pointers, which account for nearly 60 percent of his attempts. Well, 58.9 percent, to be exact.

Just last season, Thompson made nearly 40 percent of his corner triples – 37.7 percent, to be exact. His volume and corner concentration accounted for nearly the same percentage, at 58.2 percent of his total attempts. Houston’s lack of sharp-shooting wings made Tari Eason’s struggles of late all the more impactful, because there simply isn’t a substitute at that position with that skillset.

Interestingly enough, one player who is capable of helping there is Isaiah Crawford, who the Rockets have signed to a two-way contract. Crawford has gotten limited run with the Rockets, and that’s probably not phrasing it correctly.

He’s played 5.8 minutes through 13 games, which is just not enough time to make any meaningful contributions. However, the fact that he’s received playing time at all shows that he’s left a positive impact on Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who trusts veterans over younger, less proven players.

Which isn’t unique to NBA coaches, at all. Especially ones on contending teams. Since Crawford is on a two-way deal, the league limits him to 50 NBA games of being activated. Crawford has been made active for 36 games thus far in 2025-26.

And it sounds like he could be in the Rockets’ long-term plans. USA Today’s Ben Dubose explained.

“They also like Isaiah Crawford long term, but I think Crawford is someone you can wait until the offseason because you have enough wings. You're probably not gonna need Crawford to be eligible in the playoffs, two-way or not.”

In the G-League, Crawford has averaged 18.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4 assists, 53.4% from the field, 37.3% from three (on 5.4 attempts), 64.4% on twos, 61 percent effective shooting and 63.7 percent true shooting.

Needless to say, he could certainly help this ball club.