Will the cost of adding the greatest scorer of all-time be too much?
There is little doubt that the Houston Rockets immediately stole the NBA offseason from the rest of the league with their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. The subsequent moves of signing Dorian Finney-Smith to replace Dillon Brooks, adding center depth with the sign and trade of Clint Capela, in addition to a contract extension for Jabari Smith Jr. have all been heralded as very shrewd moves by the Rockets brass in their attempt to build a “win now” championship roster, and rightfully so. The Rockets have built a very good roster on paper… but it isn’t perfect.
When you look at the Rockets roster, you see size, versatility, defensive prowess and intensity… it’s even fair to say there are a few “dawgs” on this team. There is an abundance of talent. What there is not an abundance of is scoring guards. In fact, there is currently one “shooting guard” on the roster, and that is the 6’ 5” guard from Stephen F. Austin, Kevon Harris. Cue the Snoop Dogg “WHO?” meme. He is on a two-way contract and will likely spend most of his time in the Rio Grande Valley, IF he remains on the team.
The losses Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore means there is a significant drop off in explosiveness and athleticism on the perimeter, and it begs the question, who on this team can come off the bench and get buckets? The Rockets hope it’s Reed Sheppard. However, while dreams and rebellions are built on hope, NBA rosters are not. Especially ones that have championship aspirations.
The Rockets have everything they need, barring injury, to have a very successful regular season record and get into the playoffs, even in the loaded Western Conference. Do they have enough to make a deep playoff run? That remains to be seen, but from where I’m sitting, the lack of a true two-guard is a glaring weakness.
We saw the Rockets struggle to score points when they arguably had more “playmakers” on the roster with Green, Thompson, and occasionally Whitmore. Now they’re down to just one truly dynamic playmaker in Amen Thompson, and he won’t be on the floor for 48 minutes a night… at least I hope he won’t.
Who is going to score points for the Rockets when Kevin Durant is either resting in-game, not playing due to load management, or heaven forbid, not playing for an extended period of time due to injury? That is a question that the Rockets themselves don’t even know the answer to. Perhaps that person arises from the current roster in training camp. Does Tari Eason have another level he can reach on the offensive end? Is all the faith seemingly being put in Reed Sheppard going to be rewarded? Is there another level for the likes of Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun offensively? Will the Rockets be so dominant defensively that they can survive Durant-less minutes without another certified offensive threat on the floor?
All those questions remain just that… questions. The one thing we do know is there is no additional free agent signing available that automatically solves this problem. Quentin Grimes would be the next available solution to this void on the Rockets roster, but not only is he a restricted free agent for a 76ers team that desperately needs to do something positive for their roster, but the Rockets used their MLE to acquire Finney-Smith.
Jonathan Kuminga or Cam Thomas? Present the same issue… both restricted free agents and both looking to get paid far more than the Rockets can offer. Russel Westbrook? Sorry but… been there, tried that, got the t-shirt. I’m good. Malcom Brogdan? Doesn’t move the needle at all. Reed Sheppard should be better than him at this point in their careers. Truth be told, this issue may not be solved this season, and if it does, it’s likely going to be via trade. The Rockets have plenty of wing-depth… it’s just in the form of versatile big-men who lack elite explosiveness and a certified offensive bag.
I am by no means hitting the panic button on this team. In order to improve a roster via trade there is give and take. The Rockets took one of the, if not THE greatest scorer of the basketball of all time. But it did cost. The question Rockets fans have been, and will continue to ask until we see this team playing in April, May, and hopefully into June of next year… Did it cost too much?