The Rockets will target a backup center when free agency opens at the end of the month, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The team is short on reliable big men after agreeing to trade Christian Wood to the Mavericks, and although Houston will receive Boban Marjanovic in the deal, the front office plans to explore other options on the free agent market.
Feigen identifies Nic Claxton as one possibility, saying the Nets likely wouldn’t match a full mid-level exception offer (starting at $10MM+) because of luxury tax concerns. Claxton was a part-time starter this season and put up career-best numbers with 8.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per night.
Other free agents that Feigen mentions include former Rocket Isaiah Hartenstein, Andre Drummond, Mason Plumlee, Mo Bamba, Hassan Whiteside, JaVale McGee and Dewayne Dedmon. After a promising rookie year, Alperen Sengun is expected to be Houston’s starting center next season.
There’s more on the Rockets:
- As expected, Mavericks guard Trey Burke has officially exercised his $3.3MM player option for next season, which is necessary for the Wood trade to be finalized, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. The deal still can’t be announced until after Dallas picks at No. 26 on Thursday because the Mavs owe a protected 2023 first-round pick to New York.
- In his latest piece for Substack, Marc Stein confirms that the Rockets are shopping veteran guard Eric Gordon in hopes of getting a first-round pick in return. Houston also tried to move Gordon at the trade deadline, but couldn’t find an acceptable offer. The 33-year-old will make $19.57MM next season and a non-guaranteed $20.92MM in 2023/24.
- In a separate story, Feigen examines the information the Rockets use when evaluating draft prospects. The team was among the first to embrace analytics under former general manager Daryl Morey, but current GM Rafael Stone admits there are many times when the numbers don’t match what talent evaluators believe they’re seeing. “There are so many different tools you can look at,” he said. “If you like a particular stat a majority of the time it can easily lie to you in individual instances. You don’t just go back to work with video. You can back to work with the whole thing. It gives you hints about what you need to study more with a particular player.”
An almost 34 year old Gordon making close to 20mm isn’t going to get a first rounder unless it’s like GS trading away #30….and even that is overpay. Much like the Magic thinking Ross is worth one as well. Second rounders or pick swap players all day long. That’s it.
He’s still very productive even at 34. Averages over 13 a game at a .412 clip from deep and next year’s contract isnt guaranteed. He’s worth a late 1st round pick to contender.
Philly 1st + Danny Green dead money
Rockets need to know they are in West
Tough Tough Tough
The way Rockets rebuild will take 5 more years to defeat 8th seed team like Wolves
DLo would be the best player if he joins Rockets
My projection for Wolves 47 wins next season
5 years later Suns would be the 8th seed because no lottery rookie contracts
Gordon is the type of guy the Celtics need to stretch the floor. Can’t afford him, but would be nice.
Isaiah Hartenstein has always looked good in analytics, but keeps getting slept on.
PER 22, onoff+10, per36′ 17-10-5 w/2.3 blocks, Rating 127-106, 64/47/69 %shooting, BPM 4.5. He has done similar for 5 years. It’s like Tyus Jones, except at 7’0″ 250 pounds, he is not too short. Got 1216 minutes, a high for him. DBPMs have been pluses.
He must have some big flaw (?) Soft? IDK
Looked good for the Cavs but they made no attempt to keep him.
I think Hartenstein would be the best fit of the above mentioned centers because he can hit 3 pointers. He’s better than Segun. This would please me because I’m so pissed they traded Wood, stupid asses. Claxton would be my second choice but Nets need to keep that dude to play along side Simmons.
I love Gordon but do agree could help a better team perhaps. Get him a ring or something as probably only a few more years left for him. PJ got a ring with Milwaukee just after he was sent out and then came close with the heat. Just want to see him somewhere he can be utilized. We need to start building a team now. Not sure if have found assistant coaches yet even. Lucas cannot do it all and not sure how much a leash Silas has. Think this will be his third season. Just that we really do not have a team fully yet to go forward. Would love to at least have a better season ahead. Not playoff ready but at least get a little higher in standings. Something exciting to see with the team.
I thought the Bucks would have traded a first round pick for Gordon after the luck they had with Tucker coming over. Had they landed EG they may have gotten passed the Celtics in the playoffs. Missed opportunity, but I’m not a Buck fan so good.
Only way Rockets get a 1st for Gordon is if they take back a longer bad contract.
Or they package to a hopeful post season team with #17 & #26 w/ Gordon to get a lotto pick and salary. Maybe Cavs, Pels, or even Portland or Kings.
It’s a stretch. But Gordon is one of the best perimeter shooters in the league and would be a huge gain for teams looking to make a run.