NBA will allow the returning teams to add 2 more players

Being able to add these two would go along way to earning a championship. We are so close already they are what we lack.

 

Bobby Brown and Bond...Tim Bond.

 

Anthony Bennett anyone?

 

Royce White. He doesn't have to fly anymore.

 

He'd be anxious about covid and not leave his room. I'll pass.

 

Could Charlotte waive Bismack Biyombo & then we sign him for Orlando / playoffs? If so, he might be a good addition

 

nope

 

Unlikely but would not mind some combo of these 4:

6'9 Jonah Bolden (7'3 wingspan)
6'6 Justin Anderson (7'0 wingspan, 44" vert)
6'4 Tyler Johnson (40" vert)
6'7 Ryan Broekhoff (6'10 wingspan, 40% 3P)

 

I could appreciate Anthony Bennett (if healed and as mentioned above) or Henry Ellenson. (6' 11" can shoot the 3; played well in GLeague)

 

Time to go all in.

https://theathletic.com/1887506/202...kets-should-be-looking-at-before-the-restart/

 

Who are the 5?

 

https://spacecityscoop.com/2020/06/20/8-players-embody-houston-rockets-style/

 

Sorry, no subscription.

Paging @J.R.

 

Speaking of him, is there an update on him?

 

With that being said, let’s take a look at 5 free agents the Rockets should have their eyes on as we head closer to the NBA’s resumption.

Tyler Johnson
The Houston Chronicle reported a few days ago that Johnson was firmly on the Rockets’ radar. The Athletic can confirm that Johnson is indeed in their first tier of available players they would have interest in, and this or any signing of this nature is done with the 8-game mini-season in mind. It’s been a while since Johnson’s name was linked with Houston, but once you’re a target you’re always a target.

Johnson last played with the Phoenix Suns this season before being waived shortly after the trade deadline. Given that his best attributes are ball-handling and scoring, he wouldn’t provide anything new to the roster, per se. Gordon and Rivers already have that covered. This would be more of an injury insurance safety net. It’s hard to believe Johnson is already 28 though. His career certainly hasn’t taken off in the way he’d have expected, but if there’s anyone who can instill confidence in scorers, it’s D’Antoni.

Relative 2019-20 stats: 5.7 ppg, 1.6 ast, .289 3P%

Jordan Bell
I’m not sure if Rockets fans would be too fond of Bell for two reasons. The first being he was part of the reason Clint Capela had a poor showing against the Warriors in last year’s playoffs, so there are some open wounds there. The second reason is fans already love a young big who’s on the roster in Hartenstein. Like there are actual campaigns out there in #RocketsTwitter to get him minutes.

Bell oddly enough was actually a member of the Rockets briefly after the Covington trade before being shipped to Memphis for Bruno Caboclo. The Grizzlies waived him, and the Captial City Go-Go claimed him off of waivers. Bell falls into the category of interesting G-League players in that he shouldn’t be there. He certainly has the skill to play in the NBA, as seen with the Warriors.

From a purely physical standpoint, an athletic 6’8, 6’9 forward could do some good in a small ball system. Bell already has experience playing under Kerr. Any success in Houston would come from being granted minutes to run with Westbrook and Harden, along with his proficiency behind the arc. This year, he only took 12 threes, making 4 of them. It’s interesting to see if D’Antoni would prefer someone closer to his height and body type over a seven-footer like Hartenstein or Chandler.

Relative 2019-20 stats: 3.2 ppg, .333 3P%, 13.9 PER, .522 FG%

J.R. Smith
As hilarious as the Finals memes with Smith and LeBron were a few years ago, his career has hit a rough patch since then. Before his Cavaliers exile, Smith’s last meaningful minutes came in the 2017-18 season where he launched 4.8 triples a game at a .375 clip. Those are sexy numbers in itself.

Any team that would have interest in him would have to convince themselves that not only has he been able to stay in relatively good shape since not playing, but that he would be able to muster up some of that same juice from two seasons ago. That’s a hard sell.

But Smith is someone the team should be looking at. Gerald Green can’t be acquired due to CBA constraints and McLemore has revitalized his career, but Smith arguably would be the best shooter on the team were he to take his talents to Orlando. D’Antoni would be salivating at adding a dynamic shooter like that to the mix of hungry veterans he already has.

Relative career stats: 12.5 ppg, 14.0 PER, .375 3P%

Jarell Martin
Injuries have slowed the beginning of a young career, but Martin is someone the Rockets like and have watched his development in the G-League under their Vipers tutelage. Having been drafted in 2015, he somehow only has 3 years of NBA experience under his belt, so he would be allowed to be signed under new stipulations.

The sample size is key here, and the G-League sample size should be looked at with even greater scrutiny, but Martin’s three-point proficiency (.550 at 2.2 triples per game) and his overall field goal percentage (.714) should at least merit some interest. He’s played just 9 games with the Vipers, but Martin has an NBA-ready body and might have some promise in a fast-paced, green-light system.

Relative career stats: 5.4 ppg, 3.5 rebs, .346 3P%

Nick Young
I’m sure some of you will roll your eyes at Young’s inclusion on this list, but let me ask you this: Why not?

It’s not like this is someone that will be asked to play heavy minutes for the team anyway. This is purely an insurance signing. If you’re looking for a shooter, don’t forget Swaggy P. Rockets fans will surely have some bad memories of Young being a constant thorn in their side during the Western Conference Finals. Young is really good at the one thing Houston does more than any other team: shoot.

Young is also extremely fond of D’Antoni, would bring some championship experience to the locker room, and is a dynamic threat. You can have him run off-ball actions instead of just placing him in the corner or wing. Not to mention the fashion battles that this locker room would become, holding Tucker, Harden, Westbrook, Carroll, and Young (kidding). I’m really not sure why Young hasn’t garnered much traction from teams since he won a title in 2018. Someone should give him a call.

Relative 2017-18 stats: 7.3 ppg, 4.1 3PA, .377 3P%

 

First, thank you @J.R.

Second, Martin was somebody I could see being in our 17 - esp. B/c RGV experience

 

Not impressed with the Athletic's suggestions.

Would rather add:

7'0 Dragan Bender
6'9 Jonah Bolden
6'6 Justin Anderson
6'6 Theo Pinson

Morey wants players that can shoot, dribble, run and pass.


https://bluemanhoop.com/2020/06/22/teams-targeting-golden-state-warriors-dragan-bender/

 

Rockets don’t appear to have the avenue of adding players. The only way would be to waive someone via IHart for Nwaba. They’re already at 17 with their 2 ways

 

Y'all realize D'Antoni is talking about "expanding" to like an 8-9 man rotation, right? It doesn't matter who we pick up to be a practice body.

 

You realize threat of Covid-19 still looms?

Every one on 17 man roster is potentially critical.