Even before free agency began, the Houston Rockets were already experiencing a turbulent season. It started when the Rockets found out they were going to pick fourth overall in the NBA draft, missing out on a potential star player in Victor Wimpanyama. That could have changed their entire offseason outlook and may have led to the Rockets signing their former star James Harden.
Instead, it looks like he’s set to stay in Philadelphia, while the team’s backup plans aren’t exactly great options. With nearly $60 million in cap space and limited options in free agency, the Rockets are reportedly planning to get creative on getting a superstar and rookie in hopes of upgrading their roster.
Houston is willing to overpay for a superstar this summer.
according to NBA insider Mark Stein (subscription required)The Rockets plan to offer Fred VanVleet a two-year, $83 million deal and either Kyle Kuzma or Dillion Brooks the majority of the remaining $20 million space. It was rumored that VanVleet was seeking between $25 million and $30 million per season, and by overpaying him, the Rockets would ensure he would sign with Houston.
Kuzma is almost certain to leave Washington but he was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers before Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes announced he was a target for the Rockets. However, if the Rockets plan to pay VanVleet $40 million annually, they also may not have enough to sign Kuzma.
Meanwhile, Brooks is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA, and it’s unclear who he’ll sign with. Overpaying for both, while perhaps not the best use of their cap space, would at least improve their roster as it would give them experienced rookies to pair with their young core Jalen Green, Jabari Smith and Alperin Sengun. They also drafted Amen Thompson as well as Cam Whitmore, who was projected to be a top 10 pick but dropped to the top 20, allowing them to add to their young core.
Until then, the hope was that the Rockets could make a quick turnaround in the season by landing Wimpanyama and bringing Harden back. The first has not happened, and the second seems unlikely.
As a result, the Rockets may resort to overpaying players. It may not get them back into the playoffs, let alone a championship, although they have many promising players who could improve enough to get them there.
- Posted on 06/29/2023 at 19:20 pm
- Last updated on 06/29/2023 at 19:20 PM