Former Rockets Guard TyTy Washington Jr. Signs With Bucks

TyTy Washington Jr., a former first round pick by the Houston Rockets, signs with the Milwaukee Bucks.

HOUSTON — Former Houston Rockets guard TyTy Washington Jr. has found a new home. As first reported by The Athletic, Washington has signed a two-way contract to join the Milwaukee Bucks.

Earlier this offseason, the Rockets traded Washington, along with Usman Garuba, to the Atlanta Hawks in a salary dump. The Hawks then dealt Washington and Garuba to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who released both players in August.

Washington came into the season as a prime candidate to backup Kevin Porter Jr. at point guard. But halfway through the 2022-23 campaign, it was clear Daishen Nix was the primary backup.

"It's all about staying ready whenever my number is called," Washington said in February. "When I'm on the court, it doesn't matter if I am making shots or not, I'm going to find ways to be productive. It's about having that next-man-up mentality."

Instead of wasting his rookie season on the bench, former coach Stephen Silas felt it was in Washington's best interest to gain NBA experience playing for the Rockets' G League affiliate team, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

He averaged 20.2 points on 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 4.7 assists in the 10 games he played with the Vipers. Washington's best game came in a 21-point loss to the Stockton Kings in January. He scored a career-best 53 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the loss.

Washington helped the Vipers reach the G-League Finals, where they lost in a two-game sweep to the Delaware Blue Coats. But his time spent with the Vipers has laid a foundation that could result in a successful NBA career.