Jermaine Every
06.06.16
Report — Every year fans and the media throw out their fantasy ideas of what pending NBA free agents may do. Most of the time, the media and fans are delusional. When free agency starts, you hear of “welcoming committees” at players’ doors at the stroke of midnight almost as if it’s high school recruiting for college football. Most media opinions on the matter are passed off as fact, then regurgitated other media and fans alike. If you’re looking for the sexy hot media fantasy takes on Rockets’ free agency dealings, you won’t find it here.
With the hire of Mike D’Antoni, the Houston Rockets’ free agency period will have a different look. Couple that with a dismal 41-41 record last year and reports on team chemistry issues, don’t look for them to be as attractive as your fan-colored glasses would lead you to believe. I’m going to give you a few free agents that have a more realistic chance of being Rockets next season and/or would be better fits.
Hassan Whiteside (unrestricted): With the impending loss of Dwight Howard, the Rockets can’t go into next season with Clint Capela as their starting center. A shot-blocking, rebounding, athletic big would be a great fit in D’Antoni’s system playing the Amar’e Stoudemire roll from his days in Phoenix. Questions are would he turn down the extra year and more guaranteed money to stay in Miami? Will he be truly committed to maintaining his level of play, if not raising it, after a big payday?
Mike Conley
(unrestricted): A poor man’s Steve Nash is what I envision Conley playing if he were to become a Rocket. He’s quick as a hiccup, good with pick & roll, and has worked on his outside shooting to make it respectable. He wants the Grizzlies to make changes before he decides to resign. Will their offseason moves be enough to convince him to stay? Or can he be lured away with the thought of playing alongside a better roster?
Al Horford (unrestricted): A big that can shoot and pass can be valuable in this system. Think Vlade Divac in the days when Sacramento Kings challenged the Shaq/Kobe LA Lakers. It’s a similar system. But is he ready to give up on what the Atlanta Hawks have going?
Ryan Anderson
(unrestricted): If you believe, or listened to, the trade rumors over the last couple years, then you’d know that the Rockets have coveted Anderson over that timeframe. He’s a good stretch four (shooting power forward) that would be a great fit in this system because he’s a true threat from outside. That is something the Rockets haven’t had in years. Is he willing to leave New Orleans and Anthony Davis behind and come to Houston?
Jeremy Linn (player option): Don’t your panties in a bunch Houston! But, judging by D’Antoni’s comments after his introductory press conference, he still has a man-crush on Linn. D’Antoni was the NY Knicks head coach when “Linnsanity” was a thing. He’s a good pick and roll point guard that should probably come cheap. Opting out is one question. Playing time/role is the other.
Evan Fournier
(restricted): Here’s a 6’6 shooting guard that has some athleticism, but can really shoot well. At 23 years old, he still has room to grow as a player. The Orlando Magic are looking to resign him, so it’d take a sign & trade or a loaded poison-pill filled contract the Magic would be reluctant to match.
Jeff Green (unrestricted): Green is the ultimate boom/bust signing. He has all the potential in the world, but it’s only been seen in flashes. Good size and good in the open floor on the run. He’s a small forward (three), who play the power forward (four) in a small ball lineup. If Trevor Ariza, Corey Brewer, and Michael Beasley are all brought back, ignore this entry.
Jared Dudley (unrestricted): An undersized (height-wise) stretch four who became one of the best three point shooters in the league at that position, if not overall. He played in Phoenix post-D’Antoni era when they still ran uptempo.
Brandon Jennings
(unrestricted): Coming off a torn Achilles tendon going into next year so health is a question. 26 years old and has some time left. Shooting may be a question, but he’s as quick as a hiccup. Imagine his speed and playmaking ability in this system?
Marreese Speights
(unrestricted): He was one of Golden State’s best players (scorers) off the bench during last year’s title run (although an injury limited his playing time). He continued that role this year this year, but without the same level of success as last year. Speights can score from anywhere on the court which is rare for a man his size. Strengthening this team by weakening the top dog in the Western Conference is a good move, but is he ready for a larger role?
Most, if not all, of these guys will end up back with their teams or with teams other than the Rockets. Guys who can command the max or close to it may want to resign with their teams since the fifth year is worth upwards of $20+ million more than another team can sign that player for. Signing with another team means only a four max year deal. Not to say players have all chased the money (Lamarcus Aldridge and Dwight Howard come to mind), but it’s understandable why some did (except Carmelo Anthony; I’ll never get that).
Side Note: Kevin Durant is highly unlikely to come to the Rockets. His options are limitless, but why turn down 5 year/$150.2 million on a better team for 4 years/$110.9 million on a worse team? He can sign a 1 year deal in OKC and get 5 years/$208.1 million there next summer.
Jermaine Every
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