Rockets Rumors: Luc Mbah a Moute Works out for Houston, Last Played in 2018

The Houston Rockets reportedly worked out free-agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute on Wednesday, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

Mbah a Moute played for the Rockets during the 2017-18 season and has not played in an NBA game since appearing in four contests with the Los Angeles Clippers last season.

The 33-year-old missed almost all of last season and this season after undergoing a partial medial meniscectomy on his left knee last year.

Mbah a Moute is an 11-year NBA veteran who broke in with the Milwaukee Bucks and went on to play for the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers and Rockets.

While he never averaged double-digit scoring in a single season, he was lauded as a defensive stopper capable of guarding multiple positions.

In 686 career regular-season games (453 starts), Mbah a Moute owns career averages of 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds. He also shoots 45.4 percent from the field, 33.5 percent from beyond the arc and 66.0 percent from the free-throw line.

Per Basketball Reference, Mbah a Moute finished with a positive defensive win share in 10 of his 11 seasons and owns a cumulative career mark of 19.5. If he is healthy, he could be an ideal fit for the Rockets because of his defensive ability and size (6'8", 230 lbs).

Mike D'Antoni-coached teams are often known as offensive juggernauts that struggle on the defensive end, and the 2019-20 Rockets are no exception. Houston is tied for 22nd this season at 114.3 points allowed per game.

Also, since trading center Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks at the deadline, the Rockets are lacking size, in part by design. They have used 6'5" PJ Tucker at center and 6'7" Robert Covington at power forward, with 6'8" forward Jeff Green coming off the bench. As far as true bigs go, the Rockets don't have any they use regularly.

Mbah a Moute would at least give the Rockets another big, and he would also give them a player familiar with the system.