Just a day after the Sacramento Kings withdrew their qualifying offer and subsequently renounced their free-agent exception rights, combo forward Isaiah Crawford agreed to a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets, per HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto. The 23-year-old went undrafted in 2024 after a five-year collegiate career at Louisiana Tech. In 2023, Crawford won Conference USA’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Rockets Sign Recently Waived Kings Forward Isaiah Crawford
In July 2024, Crawford signed a two-way contract with the Kings.
The Houston Rockets and Isaiah Crawford agreed to a two-way deal, sources told @hoopshype. Crawford averaged 13.3 points on 50.2% from the field and 44.7% from 3-point range, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in the G League. Agent Andre Buck completed the deal pic.twitter.com/sVtWdKa4ZM
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 27, 2025
Though primarily appearing in games for the Stockton Kings, their G League affiliate, Crawford managed to impress. His versatility and defensive edge were skills that made him a viable NBA player in theory. Yet, his efficiency lent even more credence to that belief. Showing himself capable of handling a floor-spacing role, the Fort Worth native averaged 13.3 points per game while shooting 44.2 percent from 3.
Isaiah Crawford showing off the handle, finds Orlando in the corner for 3. pic.twitter.com/IXYnm7ns4F
— Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) January 3, 2025
He didn’t get the opportunity to show much for Stockton’s parent club, playing just 46 total minutes with Sacramento. Those brief stretches of action saw him go 5-11 from the field, 1-5 from 3, and record three stocks (steals and blocks combined). Yet, the team was +23.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court.
Isaiah Crawford’s first bucket!!!
The bench absolutely loves it. pic.twitter.com/9LjMnDvNE3
— Skyler (KFR) (@SacFilmRoom) January 20, 2025
Isaiah Crawford step-back contested J off the dribble for the Kings pic.twitter.com/HzCqt6dY7T
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 8, 2024
Isaiah Crawford hits a three to keep the Kings within striking distance
pic.twitter.com/Uf71YiAD1k
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 11, 2024
This is due not only to his skill and efficiency but his heady nature. Crawford doesn’t typically play outside himself. Unlike a lot of inexperienced players, he’s not a handsy defender that racks up fouls. It would be inaccurate to say that he plays a mistake-free game but he typically keeps avoidable errors to a minimum.
Safety Net For Tari Eason?
When he was with the Kings, Crawford more or less seemed like depth behind 2022 No. 4 pick Keegan Murray. Indeed, both he and Murray are stretch-fours that can attack of the dribble and play solid defense. However, the Rockets player whose skillset is most similar to Crawford’s is Tari Eason.
Perhaps poised to have a bigger role with the trade of Dillon Brooks, Eason is a 3-and-D forward that has excelled in transition. In 161 career games, he’s averaged 10.3 points per game on 34.5 percent shooting from 3. However, not is he not especially efficient, his durability is in question too. Over the past two seasons, the 24-year-old has played just 79 games.
© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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