Houston Rockets Have List of 13 Free Agents They're Pursuing
To say that the Houston Rockets want to super-accelerate their rebuild is an understatement this summer. According to Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen, the team is about to go on a spending spree in free agency, and they have a list of 13 names they're targeting.
The Rockets are interested in these players 😳
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 25, 2023
James Harden
Fred VanVleet
Khris Middleton
Brook Lopez
Bruce Brown
Jordan Clarkson
Rui Hachimura
Austin Reeves
Cam Johnson
Donte DiVincenzo
Dillon Brooks
Jakob Poeltl
Dwight Powell
(via @Jonathan_Feigen) pic.twitter.com/f6HFHAE8Ye
Of course, they won't be able to add them all, but two or three (four?) could make a big difference in the team that finished tied for last in the Western Conference this past season with a 22-60 record.
With the most money to spend under the cap (about $60M) of any team in the league, the Rockets won't be shy about spending it. They brought in new head coach Ime Udoka with the idea of immediately being a winning team.
With that in mind, Feigen says the Rockets will be focusing on veterans who "make winning plays."
At the top of the list are a number of players with NBA championships on their resume, like Fred VanVleet, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bruce Brown. And let's not forget their own former 9-time All-Star in Houston, James Harden.
They've already been labeled a "real threat" to steal one of those top players.
Harden looked like he was serious about coming back to his old haunt, but more recent reports have him more likely to re-up in Philly to go for a title with Joel Embiid.
Others on the list, like Reaves and Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, are restricted free agents, and the Rockets would be required to submit an offer sheet first, and their incumbent teams would have 48 hours to match or let them walk.
Should be an interesting few weeks in H-Town.
Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
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