Rockets Rumors: Luc Mbah a Moute to Sign Contract After Thabo Sefolosha Opt-out

The Houston Rockets are reportedly planning to sign Luc Mbah a Moute as a replacement for Thabo Sefolosha, who is opting out of the NBA's restart in Orlando.  

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the Mbah a Moute news. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Sefolosha's decision to sit out earlier Wednesday.

Mbah a Moute has been out of the NBA throughout the 2019-20 season. He worked out for the Rockets in March, a week before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mbah a Moute, who entered the league in 2008-09 with the Milwaukee Bucks, previously played for the Rockets during the 2017-18 season. He suffered serious shoulder injuries during that campaign and was limited to only four games with the Los Angeles Clippers the following season.

The stint with the Clippers seemingly ended Mbah a Moute's career, but Houston likely signed him due to familiarity. The team will not have much time to introduce its system to a new player, and Mbah a Moute can serve as depth at the 4 in a similar role to the one Sefolosha filled.

It is unlikely Mbah a Moute will receive much playing time, barring injury or a player testing positive for COVID-19. Sefolosha appeared in only one of the Rockets' final seven regular-season games prior to the shutdown.