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Former Jazzman Joe Johnson will reportedly sign with Rockets

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Joe Johnson (6) as the Utah Jazz host the Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City, Saturday December 23, 2017.

Joe Johnson will have the opportunity to compete for a championship this season.

The former Jazz veteran, who was traded to Sacramento on Thursday, has reached a buyout agreement with the Kings and has committed to signing with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN and multiple reports.

With the Rockets, Johnson will serve in a scoring role off the bench, and will be a valuable piece to their second unit. He did the same for the Jazz in the playoffs last season against the Los Angeles Clippers, hitting a game-winning shot in game 1 and playing well the entire series.

Johnson averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game with the Jazz this season. Even though he still played an important role, it became apparent in January that he would be playing elsewhere after the trade deadline.

The Jazz were able to include Johnson in the deal that brought Jae Crowder to the Jazz. He immediately became a buyout candidate with the Kings once that trade was completed.

Johnson won’t have to wait long to make his return to Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Rockets play the Jazz on Feb. 26.

Jazz waive Rose

As was expected when he was traded to Utah as part of the Jae Crowder-Rodney Hood swap, the Jazz on Saturday waived guard Derrick Rose.

Rose has played in 16 games (seven starts) this year for the Cavaliers, averaging 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19.3 minutes per contest.