Houston Rockets: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason
4. Bring back Trevor Ariza
If Chris Paul is the most expensive free agent the Houston Rockets will work to re-sign, Trevor Ariza may be the most irreplaceable. Paul has star power, but his role as a secondary ball-handler could be filled by Eric Gordon. No one on the team can do what Ariza has for the Rockets over the past four seasons.
Ariza has the length, quickness and instincts to be a solid wing defender, a role he has played on a number of teams over the past decade. From his work on the Lakers winning a ring with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, to his role on the 65-win Houston Rockets last season, Ariza is the quintessential role player for the modern NBA.
Not only has Ariza guarded the best wing threat the opponent has to deploy, but he has done so without compromising the Rockets’ spacing. Once he added the 3-point hot to his arsenal he has been a solid outside shooter, hitting 35.4 percent of his 3-pointers since coming to Houston. Ariza hit 2.5 3-pointers per-game last season, tied for 15th in the entire league (tied with teammate Chris Paul). Whether playing the 3 or the 4, Ariza can help the Rockets on both ends of the court.
Houston’s problem is the fact that he can help every other team in the league as well. If he wants to win a ring, the Warriors will gladly offer him as much as they can. If he wants money, a team such as the Denver Nuggets or Indiana Pacers may back up the truck. If he wants a more featured role, a team such as the Phoenix Suns or Sacramento Kings may have a place.
Houston can become a player in each of those categories as well, with Bird rights and the ability to re-sign Ariza for any number up to the max. It will cost owner Tilman Fertitta dearly in luxury tax payments, but Houston could outbid anyone on the market. The Rockets also played Ariza for 33.9 minutes per game last season — 22nd in the league — making it clear he has a large and defined role.
Ariza has been perennially underrated, and that has reflected in his paycheck. Whether money or placement is more important is up to Ariza to demonstrate this offseason, Houston may need to do everything it can to ensure that he does not leave for a different team.