0 points, 2 turnovers and 5 fouls in 23 minutes! Will the first Rockets player to leave the team be released? There is little suspense about the 16-man roster for the regular season.

The Rockets played their last preseason game of the season the day before. In 4 preseason games, the Rockets' record was quite impressive, with a record of 4 wins and 0 losses. Originally, the Rockets wanted to give up a victory to the Hawks in the last game, because the Rockets directly rested 7 core players, including the starting five, plus two frontcourt heroes in Ethan and Capela. Unexpectedly, the Eagles performed poorly. Although it was a home game, Trae Young made only 4 of 14 shots in the game and only scored 12 points.

The Rockets' third team performed very well. Several of their two-way contract players, such as Isaiah Crawford, scored 20 points and 9 rebounds in the starting lineup; Harris and Davidson also performed well in the second team. It can be said that the Rockets still defeated the powerful Atlanta Hawks with these fringe players and substitute players.

There are players who perform well, and there are also players on the Rockets who perform poorly, such as small forward Cameron Matthews, who has a training camp contract. His performance in recent preseason games has been quite insignificant. In fact, in the summer league, Matthews is not good at scoring. He often scores only single digits.

Although Matthews is known as one of the Rockets' most defensive players, he did not perform well on the defensive end. This "defensive gatekeeper" only signed a training camp contract with the Rockets. Once the Rockets want to streamline their lineup, then cutting Matthews should be the first priority.

Originally, many players took turns when the Rockets played against the Hawks. Uduka only had 8 players on hand. Matthews got 23 minutes of playing time in this game. However, the defensive forward did not take a shot in the entire game. In 23 minutes of playing time, he only recorded 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 5 fouls. Such statistics are the worst among the Rockets.

Because all seven other Rockets players scored in double figures, including the starters and the two substitutes Harris and Davidson, only Matthews did not score a point on the court, and did not even take a shot. This is enough to show that he is the player with the worst offensive ability among the Rockets, and he does not even have the ability to shoot.

A player who can only defend but not attack is destined to have difficulty finding opportunities in the NBA. As Rockets superstar Durant said: "Defense is easy to solve. The key is to win and win the championship. You must make the ball."

Although the Rockets have many shooters, they need better offensive players. Last season, the Rockets suffered from poor offense. Now the Rockets do not need Matthews at all. Because there are many defensive masters in their second team, such as their defender Okogie, as well as forwards Tate, Ethan, etc.; Finney Smith, who is injured and absent, is the league's top 3D defensive wing. After he returns, it will be even more difficult for Matthews to gain a foothold in the team.

Today the Rockets signed insider Kyrie and guard Consil, but their strength is limited and it will be difficult to stay on the team. Seeing that the Rockets' new regular season is coming, the Rockets must streamline their lineup before then. There are currently 14 players holding standard NBA contracts, and three players holding two-way contracts. The Rockets currently have no salary space, so it is difficult for Matthews' contract to be regularized.

The Rockets' current plan is to retain the remaining 17 players, and at the same time directly waive Matthews, a forward with poor offensive ability, and use 14 standard contract players and three two-way contract players to play in the new NBA regular season. Therefore, Cameron Matthews, a fringe player, is likely to be the first person to leave the Rockets in the new season.

Except for VanVleet, who is out for the season, there should be little suspense about the Rockets' remaining 16-man roster during the regular season. The details are as follows: Amen Thompson, Holiday and Davidson are at the point guard position; Shepard, Okogie and Harris are at shooting guard; Durant, Eason, Tate and Crawford are at small forward; Jabari Smith Jr., Finney Smith and Jeff Green are at power forward; Shen Jing, Capela and Adams are at center.