Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, James Harden, and Nene attend the 2018 NBA Awards. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Turner Sports)
Houston Rockets:
Free Agents:
- Trevor Ariza (UFA)
- Tarik Black (UFA)
- Clint Capela (RFA)
- Gerald Green (UFA)
- Joe Johnson (UFA)
- Luc Mbah a Moute (UFA)
- Chris Paul (UFA)
- Markel Brown (RFA: 2-way FA)
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense: 1st (112.7)
- Defense:7th (103.9)
- Net: 1st (plus +8.8 )
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 1st
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 2nd
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 5 to 1
Committed Salary: $80,442,936.00 as of June 29th
Average attendance: 17,900
Attendance rank:16th
Arena: Toyota Center
Management:
General Manager: Daryl Morey – 2007
Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni 2016
Salary Profile:
The Rockets exercised their option on Aaron Jackson ($1,378,242). And, Zhou Qi is non-guaranteed ($1,378,242).
They enter the moratorium with $5.3M in tax exceptions.
| Sala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| James Harden | 28 | $30,431,854 | Bird Rights | $181,203,253 |
| Ryan Anderson | 30 | $20,421,546 | Cap Space | $61,264,636 |
| Eric Gordon | 29 | $13,500,375 | Cap Space | $40,501,125 |
| P.J. Tucker | 33 | $7,969,537 | MLE | $26,477,799 |
| Nene Hilario | 35 | $3,651,480 | Non-Bird Rights | $10,954,440 |
| Chinanu Onuaku | 21 | $1,544,951 | Minimum Salary | $2,857,562 |
| Zhou Qi | 22 | $1,378,242 | MLE | $815,615 |
| Aaron Jackson | 32 | $1,378,242 | ||
| Troy Williams | 23 | $1,544,951 | $2,085,087 | |
| Team Totals | $80,442,936 | $367,421,271 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/29/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 2:
With the 46th pick, the Rockets (from Heat via Grizzlies) selected USC guard De’Anthony Melton
Rookie Profile: De’Anthony Melton – The road back from NCAA scandal
With the 52nd pick, the Rockets selected Purdue forward Vince Edwards
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
So the Rockets pushed the Warriors to seven games and played them tougher than anyone in the past two seasons. The problem is they did it utilizing only seven players and three of those guys are free agents.
The biggest concern from my perspective is Chris Paul (the NBPA President came to Houston under the premise he would get paid a max deal by doing the sign and trade. I bring up the President thing because he is the face for all his peers to look up to and make sure they are getting bank. On the other hand, there is a solid reason why the Rockets should not be giving CP3 this monster deal especially the multiple years. The uncertainty of his durability looms large.
Nets targeting Clint Capela & Julius Randle, according to @stephenasmith https://t.co/JizilYqASe
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) June 27, 2018
The other two players Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela were essential to the Rockets’ success and unless they both are willing to take less than they are due I can’t see a way Morey is able to give CP3 the max and still retain them.
Let’s see how smart the Rockets competitors are and whether they can apply some pressure on Houston. And, for all the Morey lovers out there let me just remind you Ryan Anderson still has two $20M plus seasons on the tab without opt-outs. That said the Eric Gordon deal was far superior in price and in production.
As for what Morey does beyond these three it seems obvious adding depth in terms of serviceable players who can stay on the floor in the playoffs is essential.