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Houston Rockets Offseason Challenge: Free Agency

By Mauricio Putz

Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) is congratulated by power forward Terrence Jones (6) after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) is congratulated by power forward Terrence Jones (6) after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s seems unnecessary to talk about the Houston Rockets during one of the most exciting NBA Finals in recent memory, but we’ve got to give the people what they want. After coming into the season as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets failed to deliver, again. What should they do to get better?

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Rockets’ superstar James Harden has been pretty vocal about the team needing to reinforce their backcourt, this means bringing a new point guard on board. We’ve previously covered the most convenient point guard options — including the 2015 NBA Draft — here.

The 2014-15 Houston Rockets shouldn’t try to blow it up just because they fell against the Golden State Warriors. In fact, it is imperative for them to try and bring back as many players as they can. On average, the Rockets’ players are 27.7 years old and they seem to have just the right amount of young energy and veteran experience that could lead them to a title.

With at least six players entering free agency, we take a look at who, if any, should the Rockets try and bring back.

Patrick Beverley

Beverley was one of two Rockets who missed the playoffs due to a late season-ending wrist injury.

It’s been said that, if the Rockets had had Beverley healthy for the Western Conference Finals, they would’ve had a shot at beating the Warriors. Of course, with the way things ended up for the Rockets — losing in five games — it’s hard to imagine Beverley swinging the series fully towards the Rockets favor. However, with Beverley smothering Stephen Curry on defense, the Rockets would’ve been able to keep games close with an eventual shot at closing them out in the end.

So yeah, they would’ve had a shot, if even a slight one.

Due to the increasingly important role that the Rockets has bestowed upon him, it is highly likely that Patrick Beverley ends up invoking his player option.

Donatas Motiejunas

Just as Beverley, Donatas Motiejunas also missed the Playoffs due to a late season-ending back injury.

However, in his third year with the Rockets, through seventy-one regular season games, Donatas Motiejunas had 12 points per game with .504/.368/.602 shooting while grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game. Of course, these numbers are not even close to what the Houston Rockets really need from him if they wish to go deeper into the playoffs, nevertheless, the leap made by D-Mo from last season is rather impressive:

SeasonPosGGSMPFG%3P%2P%eFG%FT%TRBASTSTLBLKTOVPTS
2012-13PF441412.2.455.289.562.512.6272.10.70.20.20.85.7
2013-14PF62315.4.443.250.519.478.6043.60.50.30.30.85.5
2014-15PF716228.7.504.368.536.539.6025.91.80.80.51.712.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/9/2015.

It’s safe to say Motiejunas had quite the breakout year. It would be quite a dumb move for the Rockets to not exercise their team option on him.

Terrence Jones

Yes, he did have a breakout year too, however, could you really call it a breakout year if he missed 49 games?

For a 23-year-old, Terrence Jones has missed an inordinate amount of games throughout his career. Jones did start seventy-one games for the Rockets in 2013-14 and, by all means, the team should exercise his option.

But they do have to pay special attention to him since he’s proven to be a rather fragile player in the past.

With a combined price tag of $5.8 million, the Rockets could have a huge upside if they were to eventually (1) convince Beverley to opt-in to his player option, and (2) exercise both D-Mo and Jones’ team options. With a continuity-loving Daryl Morey at the helm, rest assured that the Houston Rockets will do everything in their power to try and bring every single asset back.

Next: Rockets: A 3-Step Guide to Make the Finals

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