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NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: Houston Rockets

Key Additions: Daniel Theis (4-yr, $36 million)

Brought Back: David Nwaba (3-yr, $15 million)

Key Departures: Kelly Olynyk (Detroit)

The Houston Rockets spent years mortgaging the future to compete in the present, building a solidly veteran team around James Harden. When they moved Harden for future draft capital and no present-day young cornerstones it started a long process to add that young talent through different means, including making four first-round picks in last month’s NBA Draft.

That means next season will be about talent development, seeing which of those picks can actually play. Houston wisely didn’t seek to accelerate that rebuild by adding win-now veterans or players who would demand the ball. Instead, they re-upped with a tough defender in Nwaba who can help this team set the tone and buy-in on defense.

Their lone outside addition was adding center Daniel Theis. The fit doesn’t make a ton of sense, as the Rockets’ best incumbent player was center Christian Wood and they took two centers in the first round. Theis is a solid veteran who the Rockets were able to sign to a great value deal, and he is very tradeable down the line to a team with a need at center once the Rockets’ young players are ready to assume the mantle.

Grade: B

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