Houston Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha chose not to restart the season in Orlando, Florida, sources told ESPN.
Sefolosha, 36, had played 41 games this season, averaging 10 minutes and 2.2 points.
Veteran forwards Jeff Green and DeMarre Carroll, both signed during the season, will endure more minutes in their game.
The Rockets reached an agreement to sign striker Luc Mbah to Moute as a replacement player, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Athletic first reported the agreement.
Mbah a Moute, 33, played just four games for the LA Clippers in 2018-19 due to injuries and has not been in the league this season. He was a valuable reserve for the Rockets during his 65-win season in 2017-18, when he averaged 7.5 points in 25.6 minutes per game and was one of Houston’s best defenders.
Houston is 40-24, sixth in the Western Conference, and just one full game out of fourth.
The teams will send rosters and tour groups to the NBA on Wednesday for the July 30 restart at Walt Disney World Resort. Players who withdraw with an excused absence will lose the balance of the season salary.
Because her absence is considered unexcused, Sefolosha will lose a part of the salary she owes him.
In 14 NBA seasons, including stops with Chicago, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and Houston, Sefolosha has averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds.
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