By now, I’m sure you’ve heard. And noticed.
The Houston Rockets need a point guard.
Although it’s not as bad as it seems.
There’s a difficult path, as it pertains to acquiring an external one. Houston is just $1.2 million under the apron.
The NBA’s hard cap is real.
We’ve seen Rockets coach Ime Udoka deploy a hodgepodge of methods toward replacing Fred VanVleet.
No option has been perfect. Amen Thompson running point takes him away from his best offensive skills, which is attacking, cutting to the rim and slashing.
Instead, it leaves him at the top of the key, oftentimes standing around and/or taking low-percentage threes.
Kevin Durant has been relied on to handle some of the playmaking and offensive initiation, but he’s rather turnover prone. Especially when blitzed or trapped.
Reed Sheppard is a good option, save for the fact that he gets hunted defensively. He’s thrived in an off-ball role.
JD Davison is a decent fall back, but you don’t necessarily want to be relying on a two-way signee for offensive playmaking and creation.
Especially not the bulk of it. And he’s the best pick-and-roll point guard on the roster.
“Jose Alvarado.. The Houston Rockets—they have kind of did some background on Alvarado.”
Alvarado is a defensive pest. He’s also the type of player who you hate when he’s not on your team but absolutely love to have on your team.
He’s a hell of a spark off the bench and is infectious.
In 22 minutes of action, he averages 7.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds one steal, 42.4 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three (4.4 attempts) and 82.6 percent from the foul line.
He has a player option next season worth $4.5 million and has a $4.5 million number this season also, making him a realistic target, should they decide to look into making a move.
There will be competition for his services, however, as Haynes also reported the New York Knicks are interested in Alvarado’s services as well.