With upward of $60 million in space beneath the NBA’s 2023-24 salary cap, along with a trade exception to use as well, the Houston Rockets are a key domino entering 2023 free agency. Coming off a 22-60 season, the young and rebuilding club certainly has needs at positions up and down its roster.
So, who are general manager Rafael Stone and new head coach Ime Udoka likely to target once free agency agreements can be reached starting at 5 p.m. Central on Friday, June 30?
At Monday’s introductory press conference for newly drafted rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, Udoka said he’d like to have some “professional and mature adults in the room” by adding players who have playing in championships and other high-level NBA situations.
The idea, of course, is to supplement Houston’s burgeoning young core with the type of veterans who could help bolster their individual and collective development in 2023-24 and future seasons.
Could Toronto guard Fred VanVleet and Memphis wing Dillon Brooks fit that criteria? According to veteran NBA scribe Marc Stein, they might. As of Tuesday, here’s a roundup of what’s being said and reported regarding the Rockets and Friday’s opening of free agency.
Rockets prioritizing Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks?
Per @TheSteinLine this evening:
“League sources say they see Toronto's Fred VanVleet and Memphis' Dillon Brooks at the top of a Rockets wish list widely thought to be headlined by former Rockets All-Star James Harden…
Sources say that the Raptors realize it will likely require…
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) June 27, 2023
Dillon Brooks seeking more than $12 million annually
More from @TheSteinLine:
“[Dillon] Brooks is seeking a contract with an annual salary above the $12.4 million midlevel exception for non-taxpaying teams. There is a growing belief leaguewide that the Rockets are preparing to furnish Brooks with just such a deal.”…
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) June 27, 2023
Ime Udoka wants to add professionals, mature adults
Ime Udoka was asked what kind of players (free agents) he wants on the team: "…So it's the right type of veterans that will lift the level of the team. So guys that have had success on this level, played in championships, played in high level situations…" #Rockets https://t.co/FuAgL1BKhN pic.twitter.com/2a2pjASg8S
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 26, 2023
James Harden still interested in Rockets
Per @sam_amick, "Only Harden and his inner circle truly know which way he is leaning, but a source close to him reconfirmed that the #Rockets remain a serious possibility." https://t.co/KYqGlCMaCI pic.twitter.com/IR5eg7GFdU
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) June 26, 2023
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expects James Harden to stay in Philadelphia
"I think James Harden is going to remain a Sixer, but that doesn't mean that there's not some question marks surrounding how it's going to play out."
👀 @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/8PhuoGWfn9
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 27, 2023
Rafael Stone wants multiple players in free agency, not just one
Rafael Stone on free-agency this summer: "The idea is to bring in players that can raise our level. It's very hard for one guy to to that in a vacuum, it's easier to have multiple guys layered…A few players who can help each other and help our young guys." https://t.co/SYovBYHgi4
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 26, 2023
List of potential Rockets targets, via Jonathan Feigen of Houston Chronicle
Rockets free agency targets (via @Jonathan_Feigen):
Khris Middleton
Brook Lopez
Bruce Brown
Jordan Clarkson
Rui Hachimura
Austin Reeves
Cam Johnson
Donte DiVincenzo
Dillon Brooks
Jakob Poeltl
Dwight Powell
James Harden
Fred VanVleethttps://t.co/GkDnUklcST— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) June 25, 2023
