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Houston Rockets (41-41)
*Photo via Getty Images
Recap
In a season where the Rockets barely made the playoffs, the narrative surrounding the team didn’t feature a together-bunch striving to defy the odds but rather a potential on-going feud between the team’s two stars. James Harden and Dwight Howard obviously cannot play together. Which is why Howard bolted for Atlanta but his exit only highlights the dysfunction in the Rockets organization. In the last couple of seasons, the Rockets haven’t exactly been the models of consistency at the top with a rotating seat at the helm and it shows on the court with Rockets serving as a tuneup for the top tier teams in the playoffs. You would of thought that the Rockets would have capitalized on their comeback 2015 WCSF series against the Los Angeles Clippers but we were sadly mistaken.
Free Agents
Restricted – Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas,
Options – Michael Beasley, Andrew Goudelock
Unrestricted – Dwight Howard (Hawks), Josh Smith, Jason Terry
Who Leaves, Who Stays
Even if Dwight didn’t sign to Hawks yet, you knew he was gone. The Rockets tendered a one-year deal to Donatas Motiejunas, but chose not to make a qualifying offer to Jones.
Needs
Another big man would be nice since Howard wasn’t happy enough here. A backup for Patrick Beverley whose offensive minded would bring a different energy off the bench. There are plenty of power forwards to choose from so that’s another area of need the Rockets should be able to upgrade at.
Possible Moves
Brandon Jennings – Can score in bunches and explode if he gets it going
Al Horford – One of the most slept on centers in the game
Luol Deng – One of the best two-way small forwards in the game
Ryan Anderson – A long distance sniper and scorer with size
Kent Bazemore – Rockets should have the money to ink in the 3-d guard