Houston Rockets Free Agency 2017: C Zhou Qi inked to a multi-year deal

The Houston Rockets have finalized something that was to be imminent in regard to bringing one of their top prospects into the fold.

Yes, Houston Rockets fans, it’s a reality that we’ve now signed Chinese center Zhou Qi to a multi-year deal.  There was a bit of fanfare here in Houston when he was drafted but even more so back in China, likely confirming he could be the next big thing outside of Yao Ming to make it in the NBA.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier today in regard this but it had been something in the works for quite some time.  The exact specifics of the deal have yet to be determined but will be work out soon so that we’ll all know.  I’d imagine that it’d be a deal that’s worth four years with the last one being a team option paying him a couple of mils per season.  But I could be wrong so we’ll see.  However, he is expected to play for the Houston Rockets this season.

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So what’s there not to like about the potential of Qi?  The former second round pick (43rd) in last year’s draft is 7’2,” has the innate ability to rebound and shot-block.  He also is a marksman from behind-the-arc, making him not only valuable for the Houston Rockets but for the Association as well.  But at 218 pounds, his frail figure does not bode well for him when he starts banging with the bigs of the NBA.  But as opposed to yesteryear, the league is moving more toward rules favoring guards, high-scoring and zone coverage, it’s possible that Qi will be just fine.

He still has a long way to go in terms of development into the player that we think he could be but it’s good to know that he has been racking up the accolades.  Qi has been honing his skills in Chinese Basketball Association was part of the 2016 championship team Xinjiang Flying Tigers where he also earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.

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That can go a long way in terms of his resume and I certainly hope for nothing but the best for this guy.  It’s going to be fun watching him play.

Qi, 21, averaged 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.32 blocks per game while shooting 55.8 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three through 44 games (41 starts) for the Flying Tigers in 2016-17.

Go Rockets.