After once more failing to win the primary choose within the NBA draft, the Houston Rockets seem prepared to alter course this summer season. Whereas they nonetheless have one of many youngest rosters within the NBA, the hiring of Coach Ime Udoka alerts that the staff is lastly able to win once more.
With loads of cap house, younger gamers, and an obvious want to win, the Rockets might shortly remodel their roster in free company. That might start with the Rockets signing former MVP James Harden, who spent six seasons in Houston earlier than demanding a commerce. If he returns, that may embolden them to aggressively pursue different stars in addition to signal key position gamers.
The Rockets’ bold free company wishlist would make them a contender
In keeping with Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports activities, Brook Lopez, Fred VanVleet, Cam Johnson, and Dillon Brooks are all on the Rockets’ wishlist.
Moreover, they might have as a lot as $60 million in cap house to work with, although a lot of that may go to Harden, with doubtlessly sufficient house to signal one other participant or two on their listing.
Even then, Houston would nonetheless have loads of younger expertise, together with former #2 general picks Jalen Inexperienced and Jabari Smith, in addition to Alperin Sengun and the fourth choose on this 12 months’s draft. Inexperienced, Smith, and Sengun might proceed on as starters, with Harden and probably Brooks becoming a member of them at level guard and small ahead, respectively.
They may additionally draft 6’7 level guard Amen Thompson with the fourth choose to assist bolster their bench. That may give them a dramatically improved beginning lineup and a pleasant expertise improve within the second unit. Then once more, Houston might swing for the fences and look to commerce Inexperienced for a star, which has been rumored.
Boston would make loads of sense as a possible commerce choice. As would Atlanta, with Trae Younger obtainable. In actual fact, whether or not by way of commerce, free company, or each, it’s not far-fetched to suppose that Houston might have two All-Stars on their roster subsequent season.
General, Houston has the instruments wanted to make an enormous splash in free company. Nevertheless, it stays to be seen whether or not they can appeal to a number of gamers on their summer season wishlist.
