Report: Rockets have serious interest in free agent Jae’Sean Tate - Rockets Wire

The Houston Rockets are believed to have “serious interest” in free agent Jae’Sean Tate, per John Hollinger of The Athletic.

Now 25 years old, Tate played his college basketball at Ohio State (2014-2018) before joining the Antwerp Giants (2018-19) in Belgium and the Sydney Kings (2019-20) in Australia. While he’s only 6-foot-4, he’s strong and versatile enough to play as both a guard and forward.

Here’s how Hollinger recently described Tate, whom he believes would require a contract larger than the NBA’s minimum salary:

The Ohio State product had a massive year in Australia after a solid 2019 Summer League and is just 24 years old; as such, he’s quickly become one of the most highly-regarded players based outside the U.S. Notably he hasn’t re-signed in Australia for 2020-21, with signs pointing toward him signing an NBA contract instead.

Tate is listed at just 6-4 but has a strong frame and plus athleticism; he is comfortable battling in the paint and actually played power forward in Australia. His 3-point shot (40.5 percent in Australia last year, just 27.7 percent in college) will be the swing skill for him.

One notable international in my valuations is Sydney Kings forward Jae'Sean Tate, whom I'm told has serious interest from the Houston Rockets. My report on him is in here:https://t.co/hPTTys33Ag

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) November 7, 2020

Tate’s versatility could be a logical fit with the Rockets, who have valued 6-foot-5 forward P.J. Tucker immensely in recent seasons.

As the 2020 NBA offseason rolls on, free agency is expected to begin in late November. See below for Tate’s highlight video from last season.