Kenny Gaines ‘definitely interested’ in Houston Rockets’ Summer League offer
Kenny Gaines, the former guard at Georgia who recently finished his four-year career in Athens, was hoping to hear his name called on Thursday night in the late rounds of the NBA draft.
He didn’t, but he still has at least one interested team he could potentially join.
“Houston called last night trying to work out a deal where I could play Summer League with them,” Gaines said. “I’m definitely interested.”
The Rockets seem like a logical match for Gaines as he worked out for the organization to begin his pre-draft process in May. Gaines also worked out for the Atlanta Hawks and took part in that with former teammate Charles Mann, who also went undrafted.
“It was a fun experience, getting to meet the different organizations and the people that put that put them together,” Gaines said. “The main thing I took away from these workouts is that you always have to be ready.”
Gaines isn’t down about going undrafted Thursday. Instead, he has taken a positive approach throughout the entire process.
“I definitely feel like I could’ve slid in there somewhere, but it just wasn’t meant for me to be drafted,” Gaines said. “That’s not to say that I will not be on an NBA team by the time the season starts, but I’ll have to take a different path. There were a lot of great guys that got selected, and it’s tough when you’re competing against domestic and international competition. Sixty spots can go quick, even with a lot of great talent that did not get selected.”
Gaines was one of Georgia’s most seasoned players last season, averaging 12.8 points per game and being the Bulldogs’ best perimeter defender.
Gaines will have to work his way up the ladder to reach his goal of making an NBA team, and that would start with Summer League in just a few short days. At this time, Gaines hasn’t made a final decision on whether he will sign a contract with Houston as more options could become available. The former Georgia guard tandem will have to take paths that parallel each other on their way to achieving their dream of making an NBA roster.
Gaines and Mann will both look to be the first NBA player to represent Georgia in the NBA since Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who they both played behind during their freshman season.
“Not being drafted gives me more of a chip on my shoulder,” Gaines said. “I’ve always had to come up from the back end of things, and it’s the doubt that fuels my determination.”
This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Kenny Gaines ‘definitely interested’ in Houston Rockets’ Summer League offer."