The NBA free-agency moratorium begins tonight at 6:00 PM EST, and now that on the heels of the Kevin Durant trade, Fred VanVleet has agreed to terms on a two-year $50 million contract with Houston Rockets, keeping them beneath the second apron, and among other flexibilities, they will have the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception of approximately $14.1 million available to continue improving the roster if they choose to use it. I’ve compiled a list of players that would fit perfectly with the needs of the Rockets at a price they can afford.
Gary Trent Jr.
An elite catch-and-shoot threat and solid defender, Gary Trent Jr. would be a dream come true for a Rockets squad that struggled mightily with field-goal percentage. Last season as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, Trent Jr. averaged 41.6 percent from the three-point line on 5.9 attempts per game. The addition of Kevin Durant to the roster is sure to free up looks for everyone on the roster, and with Gary Trent’s ability to knock down open shots and create his own shots when needed, Rockets fans would have a possible new fan favorite on their hands. The only downside to this wish is that for all the above reasons, the Bucks will likely be pushing hard to bring him back to play with Giannis.
Dorian Finney-Smith
Some of you may recall Finney-Smith was on my list of mid-season trade targets for the Rockets at the approach of last season’s trade deadline. When that trade didn’t happen, the Rockets went the rest of the season lacking his very specific skill set. By all appearances, they may not be making that mistake twice. According to Jake Fischer the Houston Rockets have emerged as a viable free agent landing spot for Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith has declined his $15.4 million player option to return to the Lakers.
The Rockets can offer him the full $14.1 million MLE. Finney-Smith is a 36 percent career three-point shooter but shot 41.1 percent last season. In 23 games with the Brooklyn Nets, he shot 43.5 percent from three. Defensively Finney-Smith can guard 1 through 4, which would make him a perfect fit with the Rockets, whose strength has been defense and depth, and weakness has been shooting.
Spencer Dinwiddie
Dinwiddie is not an elite three-point shooter, but at 6’5”, he is an above-average playmaker and is a serviceable scorer, averaging 13 points-per-game for his career on 41.4 percent shooting including 33.3 from three. He figures as a player who can improve floor spacing for Durant and Sengun and could handle playmaking when Fred is on the bench, allowing Amen Thompson to thrive in the dunker spot. Another reason to consider Dinwiddie may draw interest from the Rockets is his familiarity with Ime Udoka and Kevin Durant during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
Honorable Mentions
Other considerations the Rockets might do well to explore include Luke Kennard, Malik Beasley (although he is recently being investigated for gambling on NBA games) Caleb Martin, and Royce O’Neale, all of which can be had for a portion if not all of the mid-level exemption.
The Rockets have become instant contenders with the acquisition of Kevin Durant, but need solid shooting depth with at minimum the ability to thrive in the team’s defensive concepts. Any one of these players will make the Rockets a true championship hopeful when combined with a roster that just might be one piece away.