The Houston Rockets are one of the many teams eyeing long-term point guard options in free agency. The team attempted to make moves during the mid-season trade deadline, but ultimately came up short in the area. The Rockets failed to get a move off in time and now with the season-ending injury to Patrick Beverley, the weakness at the position is exposed leaving the Rockets to consider options for 2016.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Beverley is undergoing season-ending surgery on a torn ligament in his wrist. The recovery time is four months, leaving him out of the action for the postseason. The Rockets were trying to remain optimistic that Beverley would be healthy in time to reach the playoffs, but now that is no longer an option, leaving the Rockets to look at the short-term and long-term pictures.
The short-term outlook is not exciting for Houston fans. Jason Terry is now starting in a two guard lineup while Pablo Prigioni is clocking 23 minutes per game off the bench. Corey Brewer is also seeing extended action of the bench. That does not scream championship lineup in a heated Western Conference, but the Rockets remain confident that players like James Harden, Josh Smith and Dwight Howard can pick up the slack.
What does Beverley's injury do to his future with the Rockets and Houston's outlook on the long-term point guard spot? Set to become a restricted free agent, the injury could weaken Beverley's value to both Houston and other teams. The point guard has had a solid year as a starter averaging 10.1 points and 3.2 assists in 30.8 minutes per game, but the injury certainly will not help his chances to command more money.
The Rockets would ideally like a big name at the point guard position. According to the Houston Chronicle, Rajon Rondo will be a priority. The Rockets were one of the teams that attempted to trade for him from the Boston Celtics, but they ultimately lacked the ammunition to get the job done. With the point guard set to be a free agent in the summer, the Rockets could try and convince him to take a smaller salary and join their All-Star lineup. It helps that Rondo happens to be close friends with Josh Smith.
Houston attempted to trade for Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic at the mid-season deadline. Both point guards will be available in the offseason, but will have the attention of every team that misses out on Rondo. The Rockets could easily re-sign Beverley to a cheap contract which could be a low-risk, high-reward scenario, but they will seek out other options first.