The Rockets are a “real threat” to the Bucks to sign veteran center Brook Lopez, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (hat tip to ClutchFans.com).
Lopez is entering unrestricted free agency, as his four-year, $52MM contract expired after the season. Lopez, 35, remains one of the top players at his position. He started 78 games this past season and averaged 15.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG and a career-best 2.5 BPG. He also made 37.4% of his 3-point attempts.
Houston’s interest in Lopez has previously been noted. The Rockets have a 20-year-old center in Alperen Sengun, a 2021 first-rounder, but Lopez could also serve as a mentor to Houston’s youthful frontcourt bigs while stabilizing its defense and stretching the floor offensively.
We have more on the Rockets:
- Villanova forward Cam Whitmore says he’s baffled by reports that he has a medical issue that contributed to his surprising slide in the first round, ESPN News Services relays. Projected to go as high as No. 4 in the draft, he dropped into Houston’s laps at the No. 20 slot. “I promise you there’s not (a medical problem),” he said. “I have no idea. I don’t know what happened. But I feel fine. It’s my body. If they think it’s something different, they have their own opinions. But at the end of the day, it’s my body.”
- GM Rafael Stone tried in vain to trade up from the No. 20 spot and were stunned was Whitmore was still available, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. “We always intended to try and trade up in this draft,” Stone said. “But we also talked about, if that wasn’t successful, trading out if we didn’t like somebody at the pick. And we were talking to a number of teams about what that would look like, and some of those potential transactions were very attractive. But again, not nearly as attractive as picking Cam, which is what we did.” The Rockets reportedly made trade inquiries with the Lakers (No. 17), Heat (No. 18), and Warriors (No. 19). Stone added the medical staff had evaluated Whitmore and there were no concerns about his health.
- The Rockets are close to adding Tiago Splitter to Ime Udoka’s staff, Kelly Iko of The Athletic tweets. Splitter worked with Udoka on the Nets’ staff before Udoka was hired as the Celtics’ head coach.
- Lottery pick Amen Thompson came away from his pre-draft workout with the Rockets convinced that the franchise was ready to exit from the rebuilding stage, he told Iko. “Just that they were looking for a change,” Thompson said of last week’s visit. “They were looking to turn the franchise around and get some wins. I wanted to be a part of that.”
Does that mean Houston is going to over pay Lopez to sign with them? He is a older player and only way he would sign if they offer way more than a contending team would pay.
They don’t need to overpay. Market value or a bit more. Bucks are not going to give a good salary. He’s worth more to Rockets. I definitely give more than market value. Like three yrs.
I don’t see how he could possibly be worth more to the Rockets than the Bucks given their respective locations on the win curve and competitive windows. Might the Rockets offer more money? Sure. Might he be a good mentor to a young team? Definitely. But in terms of winning meaningful games in the near future, he’s worth WAY more to the Bucks.
Can’t believe they all passed on Cam. Word must have gotten around fast. Considering his age. They probably saw an unmotivated kid just looking for a payday.
Rockets had a great draft. Signing Brook would be icing on the cake. I’d be looking to move Porter. They need to create a good culture there with new coach. Ty Ty is a nice talent at PG. You pick up a vet PG to start for a yr or two. And mentor Ty Ty. That’s the way to go imo.
I heard Whitmore doesnt try in practice at all, and had terrible workouts, and bad interviews, so it’s probably that
I think someone like Middleton makes way more sense for them. They dont need more bigs. They need to figure out who they want to play, with all their talent
Heat should have been interested in moving down, butbif the return was super marginal, I could see them saying no, mostly b/c of the cap space situation. But it could have been a chance to either grab a 2nd or 2, or one of the several 4s off their roster
Cam medical history was the thought and the fact is he got caught vaping. It turned off the early ones and those late picking didn’t have time to evaluate during the lead up.
Eventually rockets gambled and got a talent. Will see if his work ethic improves because he was known to ride his talent versus work. Will see! Jazz should have taken him but they have plenty of talent now.
Hawks can’t even dump their collins or Murray on jazz.
Thought it was GG Jackson who got caught vaping?
Rockets done great getting Thompson and Whitmore.
As they now look to move out of the rebuild phase and start trying to win games I think it’s about time they lose some of the young guys.
Garuba, Christopher, Washington, Nix and Martin Jr.
Keep the core of KPJ, Green, Thompson, Sengun, Smith Jr, Eason and Whitmore. Then around them you need to add experience, and culture guys that’ll help these kids grow. I’m not talking about washed up vets like John Wall either. Nor should they be going after guys like Harden that just okay iso ball, look for fouls and play no defence.
You want them to be playing basketball the right way.
I’d be targeting Josh Richardson, Jae Crowder and Mason Plumblee .
Thompson Green Crowder Smith Jr Sengun
KPJ Richardson Eason Whitmore Plumblee
Tate
I disagree on this. KPJ goes and Christopher stays. He is more family with the bench and allows TyTy, Green, Tate Jr, Smith, and Sengun (unless they get Lopez)
Rockets just have cap space and seem to have interest in anyone that has interest in them. They can sign anyone to a 1-2 year overpay but for what? Veteran leadership for a lottery team?