Jae’Sean Tate is the longest-tenured player on the Houston Rockets, as he’s been on several iterations of the team. Tate burst on the scene as an undrafted rookie, averaging 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his debut NBA season. He followed that up with an even stronger sophomore campaign, averaging 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
We can disregard the shooting chops (or lack thereof). Those were the good ole days. When the memories were all positive.
It’s also when Tate was getting regular playing time. This year’s Rockets ball club didn’t exactly need Tate, due to a good bit of depth at the wing position. Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Josh Okogie…it was a crowded rotation, even with Thompson playing lead guard for most of the season.
Tate was even sent down to the G-League at the onset of the season. Even during his time with the Rockets, he played sparingly, having played 20 minutes just once, which happened to be Houston’s final game against the Memphis Grizzlies, when the Rockets rested their key guys ahead of their opening round postseason matchup.
Tate posted 13 points and 6 rebounds in that game. Now onto the good. Following the All-Star break, the Rockets were 11 points better in defensive rating when Tate was on the floor. But again, he didn’t play all that much.
When he did play, he was utilized as a center, once Rockets coach Ime Udoka opted for the all-wing lineup, following the season-ending injury to Steven Adams.
Tate found himself in the Rockets’ rotation during their postseason series against the Los Angeles Lakers also. At least early in the series.
Tate was partially responsible for Houston’s historic collapse in Game 3 against the Lakers, as he committed a bone-headed foul on Marcus Smart, which put Smart at the line for three free throws and sent the game to overtime.
It would be a surprise if Tate returned to the Rockets next season, even on a veteran-minimum deal. He’s always been undersized, yet able to maximize his physical tools. But his inability to stay healthy (not to mention his lack of shooting) is not something that Houston will be able to mask.
His hustle, effort and aforementioned defensive tenacity are part of the duplicate conundrum that Houston faces, which was referenced by Udoka at Houston’s end of season presser.