The Rockets are expected to be active in the trade market.
According to local outlet HoopsHype, “If James Harden does not join the Houston Rockets, the Rockets are said to be interested in LA Lakers guard Austin Reeves.”
The Rockets are 22-60 this season and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference. Since Harden’s departure, the Rockets have finished in last place for three straight seasons and have lost their image as a Western Conference powerhouse.
The Rockets fired head coach Steve Silas for the poor performance and hired Ime Udoka, who had led the Boston Celtics to the Finals. Udoka is not a rebuilding coach. He’s a defensive minded coach who was hired to get results. At his introductory press conference, Udoka said, “I was promised reinforcements,” and he expected the team to support him.
Houston’s current strength is obviously not good. They don’t have a veteran to anchor the team, and they have a lot of young players. Among the younger players, second-year guard Jaylen Green is the only one who stands out. Jabari Smith, Alfarin Senghun, and others are available, but not enough.
That said, the Rockets will need to bolster their roster if they want to make a run at the playoffs next season. The player most linked to Houston right now is Harden. Harden, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, is a free agent this summer. Harden has fond memories of playing in Houston and has a home there. The Rockets can afford to pay Harden a lot of money 메이저놀이터.
It would be great for the Rockets to land Harden, but if that doesn’t work out, they need to have a backup plan. Reeves appears to be that alternative. Reeves is a young guard who has been a revelation for the Lakers this season. He has averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season. His play was even better in the playoffs. Reeves was outstanding in the playoffs, averaging 17 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
That said, Reeves is also a free agent this summer. However, instead of being a full free agent, Reeves is a restricted free agent. A restricted free agent means that even if Reeves agrees to terms with another team, he must remain with the team if his original team matches the other team’s offer. In other words, Reeves can stay if his original team, the Lakers, wants him to.
After three consecutive seasons of last place finishes, the Rockets will be looking to rebuild. Can the Rockets pull it off?