The Houston Rockets may look at free agents like Josh Smith, Andrea Bargnani, Andre Miller, Norris Cole, Kendrick Perkins and Tyler Hansbrough on the market this summer, as the team still has some needs at forward, center and point guard after bringing back Corey Brewer and Patrick Beverley in free agency.
The Rockets still have some needs on the roster and with the free agent market thinning out, players like Smith and Bargnani could be potential fits for the team. According to former NBA executive Bobby Marks, the Rockets are still in need of a backup point guard, a backup center and some extra depth at forward. The Rockets had a great season last year and lost to the Warriors in the west finals and now GM Daryl Morey is hoping for another deep run.
The Rockets have an MVP candidate in James Harden and an elite player in Dwight Howard, but they could use some more scoring up front. If Bargnani is not demanding too much money he could be an option, while Smith also remains in the mix to return. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Smith is getting some "serious" interest from the Sacramento Kings and if he signs there, Bargnani could be another good option to take over his spot on the roster. UPDATE: Rockets have signed Marcus Thornton to a one-year minimum deal. Check here for more.
Smith was signed last season after he was waived by the Pistons and he played fairly well for the Rockets in that time, but he could end up leaving for another team. The Clippers are reportedly also interested in Smith, but after bringing back DeAndre Jordan and signing Paul Pierce, the interest may not be as high as before. Smith averaged 12 points last season and Bargnani comes in after averaging 14 points per game for the Knicks.
Check here for more on the Rockets interest in Josh Smith and other free agents and for more on the needs for the Rockets from Bobby Marks.
The Knicks are reportedly considering bringing back Bargnani, but they may not have room on the roster after adding some young players and also signing Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo. The Rockets could be a nice fit and this comes as the team may also look at point guards on the market. The Rockets signed back Patrick Beverley after he had interest from the Lakers, Knicks and Cavaliers and now they could look for a backup point guard on the free agent market.
Marks writes that there are still some solid options available, including Andre Miller, Norris Cole and Donald Sloan. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Sloan is getting interest from the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks as well as the Rockets about a backup job after his time with the Pacers last season. Cole is on the market after being traded last year, while Miller could be a strong veteran backup for the bench for the Rockets.
Kendrick Perkins and Hansbrough could be cheap options to take reserve roles, but right now the priority for the Rockets is a backup point guard over another big. Brining bacjk Patrick Beverley was huge, as Jeremy Lin signed with the Hornets and Rajon Rondo went to the Kings. Beverley is back on a fouir year, $25 million deal.
The Rockets did not make a major splash in free agency after missing out LaMarcus Aldridge and now the team is moving forward after bringing back Beverley. The team was reportedly interested in a Ricky Rubio trade and checked in on Eric Bledsoe, but those deals never came close to happening. The team has had past interest in Rajon Rondo, but they brought back Beverley and Rondo signed with the Kings.
