The Houston Rockets are rumored to be interested in forward Al Harrington. Harrington recently separated ties with his Chinese team due to interest from several NBA teams according to Basketball Insider’s Yannis Koutroupis, and the Rockets are rumored to be interested.
Harrington is a 16-year veteran originally drafted 25th overall in the first round by the Indiana Pacers in 1998. He played 34 games for the Washington Wizards last season where he averaged 6.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. He also hit from long-range at 34 percent while in uniform with the Wizards.
Harrington expressed interest in re-signing with the Wizards; however, that interest went unreturned, at which point Harrington signed in China on a one-year deal to play with the Fujian Sturgeons.
Harrington was vocal about wanting to be a piece in what the Warriors were building, especially after the Wizards made the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season, and made a second-round appearance for the first time since 2005.
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Also interested in a coaching career, Harrington served as a summer league assistant coach for Washington in the Las Vegas summer league, continuing his mentorship of the team’s young players. Once the Wizards were able to add free-agent Paul Pierce, there wasn’t much of a role left for Harrington.
Harrington could be the Rockets response to their loss of their starting power forward Terrence Jones who is out indefinitely with a personal nerve contusion in his left leg. Currently in his third season with the Rockets, Jones has been averaging a career-high 14 points and 7.5 rebounds while blocking 1.8 shots per game.
Behind Jones is Donatas Motiejunas, who has showed improvement this season, especially on the low block. However Harrington has potential to be the type of stretch floor that could contribute valuable minutes in head coach Kevin McHale‘s rotation.
In addition to his strong veteran locker room presence, Harrington brings versatility and experience to the position which could be invaluable for the long season ahead.
In his career, Harrington has been a member of the Pacers on two different occasions, and also spent time with the Atlanta Hawks. Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic and last the Wizards.
His best season was spent with the Knicks where he averaged 20.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting 44.6 percent from the field.
Harrington would be a good fit for the Rockets and could be their poor man’s Chris Bosh if he’s able to hit the open jumper and space the floor for center Dwight Howard and guard James Harden. It is however, unclear as to if Harrington’s ailing knees will allow him to make the type of contribution the Rockets need.
In the last two years, Harrington has suffered a torn meniscus, staph infection, multiple knee surgeries, regenokine all while continuing to play with the consistent threat of knee fracture. If the Rockets are to sign him to a deal, they’ll be counting the days until Jones returns from injury.
With the Rockets out to an 11-3 start on the early season and currently ranked fourth in the west, it’s likely they’ll do whatever it takes to keep their rotation strong and acquire as many wins as possible.
In the interest of having a better season than in recent years, adding Harrington doesn’t make or break their agenda, however it’s a temporary solution to keep them on track.