With the 2017-17 NBA season now completed for the Houston Rockets, where does the team go from here in the upcoming offseason?
Heading in to the 2017 offseason, the Houston Rockets are in considerably better shape than the previous year. After the disastrous 2015-16 season, the Rockets used the offseason to significantly change the team, from hiring a new coaching staff to bringing in expensive, shiny new pieces to surround James Harden.
However, this year the Rockets are coming off a 55-win season and tough second round elimination in the playoffs. That, along with the various positive narratives surrounding the team should bode well for the team this summer.
With that being said, let’s preview the upcoming months for the Rockets. What could they do in the draft? What players could they target in free agency? There are still several questions remaining about the team as they look to solidify themselves as true contenders.
The Draft
As a result of the trade to acquire Lou Williams, the Rockets no longer have their first round pick in this 2017 NBA Draft. If you ask some fans, they’ll probably tell you the trade (or Williams for that matter) disappointed in the end. On the other hand, many fans applaud the trade, especially considering Williams is under salary for next season at a very reasonable price.
Regardless, what the Rockets do have in this year’s draft are two second round picks, courtesy of the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers. Those picks ended up being the 43rd and 45th picks, giving the Rockets a chance to draft potential sleepers.
Another option Houston could do is combine both picks to trade up in the draft. However, I wouldn’t expect Daryl Morey to make such a move unless a prospect the team is extremely intrigued by is still on the board towards the end of the first and early part of the second round.
Expect Daryl Morey to draft both an international player and an overlooked, seasoned college prospect. The Rockets will want to maximize their cap space for free agency, and going this route provides the best way for them to do so.
Free agency
The Rockets find themselves in an interesting situation in regards to free agency. As a team that is near contender status, the Rockets can have about $11 million in cap space to spend this summer.
Perhaps more importantly, Nene is the only player from the rotation that is a free agent, and as a result of the combination of his age, injury history and desire to stay in Houston, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Brazilian back with the Rockets next fall on a cheap deal.
Space City Scoop
Turning to attention to players they should target, the Rockets should look to obtain a forward who can relieve some of the pressure on Trevor Ariza as the sole 3-and-D wing on the roster. Some possible options include C.J. Miles, P.J. Tucker and Joe Ingles.
Miles has a player option which he will most likely decline, while Ingles is a restricted free agent that the Jazz will want to return to Utah. Tucker is an unrestricted free agent that may be left out of the loop in Toronto as the Raptors consider spending to keep high-priced players like Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka.
Another option the Rockets could target would be Patrick Patterson, a very good defender and capable (career 36.8 percent) three-point shooter as a stretch four.
Of course, knowing Daryl Morey, the Rockets will enter the trade market looking to make a splash and acquire another star player. The Rockets could dangle Lou Williams and/or Trevor Ariza in hopes of creating enough cap space to sign a significant second option to place alongside Harden.
Gordon Hayward will be a free agent this summer, and he would fit right in alongside Harden and the shooters in Houston. While it is unlikely the Rockets obtain or sign a star player this summer, Morey will certainly try his hardest to bring another star player to Houston.
In the end, the Rockets will have enough cap space to sign a good bench piece. Their first priority should be a wing, but they should also look to sign a mobile rim protector, especially if Nene doesn’t return. The Rockets could also look to sign a guard to take some ball-handling duties (and minutes) away from Harden, Patrick Beverley and Eric Gordon.
Next: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency
All in all, there are several directions the Rockets could take this offseason. It’s clear the team is still a player or two away from being true contenders, and this summer provides the team with opportunities to get closer (and more competitive) in the Western Conference.