Complete 2017 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams
Houston Rockets
Key additions: Chris Paul (trade), P.J. Tucker (free agency), Luc Mbah a Moute (free agency), Tarik Black (free agency), Zhou Qi (draft)
Key subtractions: Patrick Beverley (trade), Lou Williams (trade), Sam Dekker (trade), Montrezl Harrell (trade)
Most people don’t realize this, but had the Houston Rockets been 0.1 points stingier per 100 possessions last season, they would’ve been league-average on the defensive end. Adding wings who can shoot when left open and defend like P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute only helps round out the edges in a potential matchup with the Warriors for the Western belt.
The Rockets had to give up some depth over the summer, but kept the frontcourt strong by retaining Nene, drafting Zhou Qi and bringing back Tarik Black. With improved defense and 3-point shooting, this team could be a legitimate threat for the 2-seed in the West.
Oh, and they added Chris Paul. That’s pretty sweet too.
Bourguet Grade: A