Julian Phillips News, Rumors, Updates - Houston Rockets

Former Timberwolves forward quietly signs with new team Julian Phillips signed with the Rockets on Friday on what is believed to be a non-guaranteed deal.

JULY 26 • DUNKINGWITHWOLVES.COM

Inks training camp contract Phillips signed a training camp contract with the Rockets on Friday, Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot reports.

Impact Phillips will join the Rockets for training camp and compete for a spot on the club's regular-season roster. The 22-year-old forward was traded from the Bulls to the Timberwolves ahead of last season's trade deadline, though Minnesota declined its $2.41 million team option on his contract for 2026-27. Over 48 regular-season appearances (two starts) in 2025-26, he averaged 2.9 points in 8.9 minutes per showing.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Julian Phillips' post-Bulls journey lands in Houston, in search of a new mission Since being jettisoned from the Chicago Bulls roster at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, Julian Phillips has bounced teams again, landing in Hou...

JULY 25 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Timberwolves' quiet roster move might be a hint at their free agency plan After the Timberwolves declined Julian Phillips' team option, the team could fill their roster by bringing back their own free agents.

JUNE 30 • DUNKINGWITHWOLVES.COM

Thank goodness the Bulls are done drafting project players like Julian Phillips One of former Bulls' lead front office executive Arturas Karnisovas' project draft picks, Julian Phillips, didn't play out his full rookie c...

JUNE 30 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Timberwolves Cap Space Update After Declining Julian Phillips' Option The Wolves will not be retaining Phillips, who they acquired in the Ayo Dosunmu trade last year.

JUNE 29 • SI.COM

Set to enter free agency The Timberwolves are declining Phillips' $2.41 million team option for the 2026-27 season, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact Phillips spent the first two-and-a-half years of his NBA career with the Bulls before being traded to the Timberwolves in February. He served in a minor role off the bench for both teams and was limited to garbage-time minutes during Minnesota's playoff run. Once free agency officially begins, Phillips will have the opportunity to catch on with a team looking for depth on the wing.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Timberwolves' decision on Julian Phillips' club option should be an easy one The Timberwolves have a club option on Julian Phillips that they need to decide on by June 29.

JUNE 19 • DUNKINGWITHWOLVES.COM

Sees garbage time in Game 6 loss Phillips finished Friday's 139-109 loss to San Antonio in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals with three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), one assist and one steal across eight min...

Impact Phillips was hardly utilized during the Timberwolves' postseason run, with his eight minutes of playing time Friday all coming in the fourth quarter, when the game was already out of reach. He was acquired by Minnesota from Chicago in early February, but he appeared in just 13 regular-season games for the Timberwolves while averaging 3.2 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists over 7.2 minutes per contest. Where Phillips plays next year will largely depend on whether the Timberwolves pick up the Tennessee product's team option for the 2026-27 season.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Back with parent club The Timberwolves recalled Phillips from the G League's Iowa Wolves on Thursday.

Impact Phillips has rejoined the Timberwolves ahead of Friday's game against the Trail Blazers but isn't expected to be featured in the rotation. He saw extended run for Iowa in its most recent game Wednesday, finishing with 39 points (18-26 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 0-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 40 minutes in a 132-110 win over the Salt Lake City Stars.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Plays garbage time in debut Phillips (wrist) played the final 4:13 of Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Clippers, finishing with two points (1-1 FG).

Impact Before the Timberwolves acquired him from the Bulls on Thursday, Phillips had missed a game due to a right wrist sprain, but he made enough progress in his recovery from his injury over the weekend to get the green light to make his Minnesota debut Sunday. Phillips didn't see the court until the Clippers had the win well in hand, and the 22-year-old forward seems likely to find himself outside of the rotation while Minnesota has all of its key contributors available.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to make T-Wolves debut Phillips (wrist) is available for Sunday's game against the Clippers.

Impact The Timberwolves acquired Phillips and Ayo Dosunmu from the Bulls on Thursday. The former was originally tabbed as questionable for Sunday's game due to a right wrist sprain, but Phillips has been given the green light to make his debut with Minnesota. He averaged 9.5 minutes per game off the bench with the Bulls and will provide the Timberwolves with frontcourt depth behind Naz Reid, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Sunday Phillips (wrist) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Clippers.

Impact Phillips was traded from Chicago to Minnesota on Thursday, though he's still dealing with a right wrist sprain and may have to wait to make his Timberwolves debut. The 22-year-old forward isn't guaranteed meaningful playing time for Minnesota but will provide depth in the frontcourt. Over 35 regular-season appearances (two starts) for Chicago before the trade, he averaged 2.8 points in 9.5 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Timberwolves welcome former Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu to rotation after trade

The first game Ayo Dosunmu plays in for the Minnesota Timberwolves will be his first for a team outside his home state

FEBRUARY 7 • Associated Press

Won't play Friday Phillips (recently traded) will not play Friday against the Pelicans.

Impact Phillips was acquired from Chicago on Thursday and will not play until his trade is finalized. He averaged just 9.5 minutes per game in a limited role with the Bulls, and he is not expected to see significant playing time in Minnesota initially.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu for scoring depth in trade-deadline deal with Bulls

The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired guard Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls

FEBRUARY 5 • Associated Press

BREAKING: Ayo Dosunmu Traded to the Timberwolves The Bulls have traded Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips to the Timberwolves for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks.

FEBRUARY 5 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Traded to Minnesota The Bulls traded Phillips (wrist) to the Timberwolves in exchange for Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports. Ayo Dosunmu was also sent to Minne...

Impact Phillips spent the past three seasons in Chicago, but he was never able to carve out a consistent role. Across 154 career regular-season appearances, he averaged just 11.6 minutes per contest. Minutes won't be easy to come by in Minnesota, so his fantasy outlook remains bleak. He can be considered questionable to debut Friday against the Pelicans.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Antetokounmpo remains with Bucks as an extremely hectic NBA trade deadline passes

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains with the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA trade deadline passes

FEBRUARY 5 • Associated Press

Barnes and the Raptors host conference foe Chicago

Toronto plays Chicago in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams

FEBRUARY 5 • Associated Press

Iffy for Thursday Philips (wrist) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Toronto.

Impact Phillips missed Tuesday's game against Milwaukee due to a sprained right wrist, and his availability is in doubt for Thursday's game as well. The forward is averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds across 9.5 minutes per game this season.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Listed out vs. Bucks Phillips (wrist) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact Phillips was added to the injury report as questionable after picking up a right wrist sprain, and he's since been ruled out for Tuesday's clash. His absence shouldn't have much of an impact on the rotation considering Chicago's frontcourt is otherwise healthy.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with wrist sprain Phillips is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks with a right wrist sprain.

Impact Phillips is at risk sitting out for the first time since Jan. 24. That said, his possible absence would appear to have a negligible impact on the Chicago rotation.

FEBRUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Available Friday Phillips (wrist) is available for Friday's game against the Nets.

Impact Phillips will return from a two-game absence due to a right wrist sprain. Over five appearances this month, the 22-year-old forward has averaged 3.8 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per contest.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Friday Phillips (wrist) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nets.

Impact A sprained right wrist could prevent Phillips from playing for a third consecutive contest. Patrick Williams could see a minor rise in playing time if Phillips is unable to play Friday.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

JULIAN PHILLIPS NEWS

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Timberwolves welcome former Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu to rotation after trade

Timberwolves acquire Ayo Dosunmu for scoring depth in trade-deadline deal with Bulls

Antetokounmpo remains with Bucks as an extremely hectic NBA trade deadline passes

Barnes and the Raptors host conference foe Chicago