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Houston Rockets: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets
Feb 20, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball as Louisville Cardinals center Chinanu Onuaku (32) defends during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Draft

The Rockets didn’t own their first round pick in this year’s draft, by courtesy of the ill-fated Ty Lawson trade with the Nuggets. Denver used that pick on Juan Hernangomez — the exact kind of promising young stretch-4 who would’ve helped Houston, especially with Motiejunas still unsigned.

Houston did own two second-rounders, however, the first of which they used in Chinanu Onuaku at No. 37. An athletic, 6’10” center from Louisville, Onuaku is the exact type of long, energetic defender Houston needed as a potential long-term replacement for Houston’s departing frontcourt depth.

Onuaku is an elite shot-blocker, a tremendous rebounder and if it weren’t for his complete lack of offensive polish, this 19-year-old would’ve been a bonafide first round pick. In his final season with the Cardinals, he averaged 9.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in just 24.6 minutes per game, shooting 62 percent from the field.

The Rockets signed him to a four-year deal.

In NBA Summer League, Onuaku struggled to put up those same numbers, averaging 3.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game on 43.8 percent shooting. He needs time and won’t be a fixture in the rotation as a rookie, but this 19-year-old could be a useful addition down the road.

Plus, you’ve got to love a player who puts his pride aside and shoots his free throws underhanded — something Rockets fans would’ve loved to see from Dwight.

At No. 43, the Rockets selected Zhou Qi from China. Qi is a draft-and-stash pick for the time being, but his potential value as a 7’2 center with a massive 7’8 wingspan and 9’5″ standing reach is pretty clear.

Though he’s so thin he has to run around in the shower to get wet, Qi is an impressive athlete for his size, he’s an excellent shot-blocker and he’s got a high basketball IQ, complete with clever passing and fundamentally sound footwork in the post.

If he’s actually 20 years old, the Rockets may have gotten a steal a few years down the line. For the time being, however, missing that first-rounder because of the awful Lawson trade and not adding a difference-maker for 2016-17 hurts.

Grade: C+

Next: Adding Anderson

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