The Houston Rockets may look at adding another free agent this summer and players like Josh Smith, Chuck Hayes, Andre Miller and Jason Terry are potential targets on the market after the team brought back Patrick Beverley and Corey Brewer to build around James Harden and Dwight Howard.
The Rockets had Smith last season after signing him following his release from the Detroit Pistons and GM Daryl Morey said he would be open to having Smith return. The Rockets cap situation is pretty tight, so the team likely will not add too much, but they may want another point guard behind Beverly and could look for some low post help for Howard.
Former NBA executive Bobby Marks writes that the team needs a backup point guard and possibly a center and that could lead the team towards Hayes. According to Marc Spears at Yahoo Sports, Hayes has met with the Rockets and his agent said there is "mutual interest" between the sides in getting a deal done. Hayes is a free agent after playing 29 games last season and he previously was with the Rockets before his time with the Toronto Raptors.
Last season Hayes averaged just under two points and two rebounds per game in limited minutes and he likely would be a backup option in Houston. The team needs some depth behind Howard,
Clint Capela at center as well as Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Montrezl Harrell at power forward and Hayes can play both positions. Adding Hayes would not bring as much production as someone like Smith, but clearly he would be there for other needs than scoring.
The Rockets had Jason Terry and Pablo Prigioni as the backups for Beverley for part last and adding Terry back or Miller would give some extra depth. Terry is also looking like a good option to return, as Shams Charania of RealGM reports that the Rockets are "close" to re-signing the point guard. The Dallas Morning News reported last week that the Rockets were interested in bringing back Terry and now it looks like a deal will get done. Last season Terry played in 77 games and averaged seven points and two assists per game.
Smith reportedly has had interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, NY Knicks , Sacramento Kings and Rockets this offseason. According to Yahoo Sports, the Clippers are an option for Smith and the Kings have had "very strong interest" but no deal is close with either team. LA signed Paul Pierce and that may take them out of the Smith chase, while the Kings have made moves with Rajon Rondo, Luc Mbah A Moute, Kosta Koufos, Marco Belinelli and Omri Casspi.
The Rockets added Thornton on a deal for a minimum contract, according to Yahoo Sports. Last season Thornton averaged eight points and shot over 37 percent from long range. The Rockets made a strong playoff run last season and they are looking to make additions to the roster to give Harden and Howard another chance in the western conference. The west is always tough and after the great season Houston had, there will be pressure to make another run.
Check here for more on the Rockets free agents and the interest in Smith, Terry and Hayes.
