Back in June, during the 2015 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets were thrilled when Sam Dekker fell to them at pick number 18. Dekker was considered by many to be a lottery type of talent and many mock drafts had him being selected in the lottery but he fell to them and they were hoping he could have an impact as a rookie. That hasn't happened as Dekker had to undergo back surgery but he is hopeful that he will be cleared after the All-Star break, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Prior to the season former head coach Kevin McHale proclaimed that he would use Dekker mostly as a stretch four and he fits their system perfectly as he can shoot the long ball and is very versatile. Dekker though, was dealing with back problems since the summer league and because of that he was never really able to play to his full strength or earn a spot in the rotation.
Dekker had appeared in just three games for a total of seven minutes before he decided to undergo the procedure on his back. After the surgery was performed on Nov. 20 the Rockets did not put out an official timetable but instead said he would be out indefinitely. The reported timetable after the successful surgery was about three months and if Dekker's hope is true he seems to be right in line with that.
Dekker will not be able to return once he is cleared as he will still have to get himself into basketball shape and log some contact practices but it seems like a return is actually within sight now. It seems very unlikely that Dekker will have a role with the Rockets when he does return but they have dealt with a slew of injuries at the power forward spot so you never know.
Donatas Motiejunas himself has had back issues all season which has allowed him to only play in 14 games. Terrence Jones has missed time here and there with different injuries but is healthy now as the backup behind Clint Capela who has been a revelation for Houston. It might take another injury to get Dekker into the rotation once he returns but he will likely just be happy that he can practice with the team after missing a huge chunk of his rookie season.
