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2017 NBA free agency grades: Rockets to sign Luc Mbah a Moute

By Eric Spyropoulos

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket as he is guarded by Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the LA Clippers during a 99-91 Clippers win in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 18: George Hill #3 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket as he is guarded by Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the LA Clippers during a 99-91 Clippers win in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets continue to add to their bench depth with the signing of Luc Mbah a Moute, a tough, versatile defender. Let’s grade the signing.

After the trade for Chris Paul severely depleted the Houston Rockets‘ depth, general manager Daryl Morey has been slowly working to build it back up over the past couple of weeks.

First there was the signing of P.J. Tucker. Then Nene was re-signed. On Friday, Houston agreed to sign Tarik Black, and yesterday they agreed to add Luc Mbah a Moute.

The most important similarity in all of those signings is that all four of those players are (for the most part) defensive-minded, especially Tucker and Mbah a Moute.

Michael Scotto reported that Mbah a Moute will sign for the veteran’s minimum on a one-year deal, which is incredible value for Houston. Mbah a Moute declined a $2.3 million player option to enter free agency this season, and the Rockets were able to sign him for even less money at $2.1 million.

Even though Mbah a Moute didn’t find a free agency deal until mid-July, and even though he will take the veteran’s minimum, don’t be fooled: He is worth much more than that salary. Mbah a Moute will turn 31 before the 2017-18 season starts, but he still a very good defender and is coming off a career shooting year.

Last year, he posted a 1.6 defensive box plus-minus and was ninth in the league among power forward in defensive real plus-minus, posting a 2.32. Mbah a Moute is a very versatile defender, and at 6’8″ he is able to guard a variety of positions, from guards to power forwards.

Just look at Mbah a Moute’s defense in a February game against the Spurs in which he was tasked with primarily guarding Kawhi Leonard but also switching onto LaMarcus Aldridge:

Mbah a Moute forces Leonard into tough shot after tough shot, stands his ground against Aldridge, and forces a couple of turnovers on both players. That is how you play excellent defense against two very skilled offensive players.

Turning to the offensive side of his game, Mbah a Moute could be a stranglehold on Houston’s offense with his limited shooting or ball-handling. To say Mbah a Moute relies on other players to create open looks for him would be an understatement. For his career, 70.4 percent of Mbah a Moute’s two-point field goals and 97.9 percent of his three-pointers have been assisted on.

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    • Looking at his shooting, there is reason for optimism. Even though he is a career 32.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc, last season Mbah a Moute shot a career high 39.1 percent on three-pointers.

    More importantly, Mbah a Moute shot 41.5 percent on corner three-pointers last season, which is where he will receive the most open looks in Houston. Last season, corner three-pointers accounted for 74.5 percent of his total attempts from beyond the arc.

    With the Rockets bench now consisting of Eric Gordon, Tucker, Mbah a Moute, and Nene, it will be interesting to see the rotations that Mike D’Antoni comes up with, especially when it relates to playing both Tucker and Mbah a Moute together.

    For their careers, Mbah a Moute has played 58 percent of his minutes at power forward, while Tucker has played 67 percent of his minutes at small forward. However, both are fairly limited shooters, and D’Antoni may want to avoid playing both at the forward positions together.

    On the other hand, a lineup of Paul, Gordon, Tucker, Mbah a Moute, and Clint Capela would be very good defensively. Plus, when you have the “Point God” running the offense, open looks will be created left and right.

    Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

    In the end, the signing of Mbah a Moute for the veteran’s minimum is an absolute steal for the Rockets. Mbah a Moute provides Houston with another above-average defender and an improved shooter. All of a sudden, the Rockets are a deep team once again.

    Grade: A

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