2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Luc Mbah a Moute: 1 year, $2.1 million (Houston Rockets)
Free agent Luc Mbah a Moute has reached an agreement with the Houston Rockets, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 16, 2017
The Houston Rockets are entirely cognizant of where they need to improve in order to establish themselves as a legitimate Western contender. P.J. Tucker was a great first step to tighten down on the defensive end, and landing Luc Mbah a Moute on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum represents the next step.
Mbah a Moute certainly won’t be expected to help much on the offensive end, but last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, he did convert on 39.1 percent of his 1.4 three-point attempts per game. That’d be more than reasonable for a gunslinger offense like Houston’s.
After he opted out of $2.3 million, getting a quality wing defender like Mbah a Moute for even less is a great move, even if he will actually make more with the Rockets because there’s no state tax to worry about. Houston still isn’t quite on Golden State’s level, but they’re shoring up as many potential weaknesses as possible this summer.
Bourguet Grade: A-