Rockets Continue With Offseason Roster Overhaul

The Houston Rockets have been reloading this offseason, from the draft to free agency, along with some trades. But this is just the start for a team that hasn’t sniffed the postseason since their 2019-2020 season, more than three years ago. Last season, they were tied (with the San Antonio Spurs) for the second-worst record overall at 22-60 and were ranked 14th in the Western Conference.

One addition is the former Atlanta point guard Aaron Holiday joining the Rockets on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 27-year-old, according to Wojnarowski, inks a four-year, $86 million contract in a sign-and-trade with Memphis, along with incentives that can bring it up to $90 million total with Houston. Brooks was told by the Grizzlies that he was not to be retained “under any circumstances,” according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, NBA insider for Stadium. This was right after the season concluded for Memphis, as Brooks made headlines for on-court antics and was slated to be a free agent prior to the trade.

The Rockets get their starting small forward and some playoff experience, as the former All-Defensive Second Teamer will be getting paid about $22.5 million per year over four years for being a defensive menace on the court, something a young Houston group is lacking. They did draft some depth at the forward position this past NBA draft, as the Rockets take Villanova’s Cam Whitmore at the back end of the first round.

The 19-year-old and Amen, at 20 years old, are the future of this team and despite maybe not being playoff contenders this upcoming season, the Rockets should still take a step forward as a progressing team with a young core.

Houston already has three other first-rounders that haven’t been mentioned, either as starters or as key contributors playing a substantial amount of minutes. This includes 2022 third-overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. at power forward, 2022 first-round pick Tari Eason backing him up, and 2021 first-round pick Alperen Sengun starting at center (traded from the OKC Thunder).

Even at the center position, the Rockets addressed their depth by signing a veteran to backup up Sengun to a four-year, $32 million dollar deal. Houston brings in the former Phoenix Sun and San Antonio Spur Jock Landale in free agency and pays him $8 million per year. This is on top of all the other signings, trade acquisitions, and draft picks from this past NBA draft.

These three, along with the rookies and the multiple veteran additions, should help the Houston Rockets take a big leap forward together for the 2023-2024 NBA season.