What The Rockets Need?
Houston’s biggest issue is that while the Rockets can score in transition and early offense, they get bogged down late in the shot clock. Since the Rockets are still a young team, they often rush shots late in the game, miss weak-side reads, and have defensive lapses after buckets. The Rockets are just 10-13 in clutch situations with a minus-0.7 scoring margin.
For those reasons, the Rockets are on the prowl for a veteran lead guard who thrives as a late-game organizer. This guard needs to be able to control tempo under pressure, limit turnovers, run half-court offense, and defend at the point of attack.
Could The Rockets Also Add Another Center?
Besides adding another point guard, the Rockets are mulling the possibility of adding another big man, either on the trade market or in the buyout market, per Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports. Steven Adams and Clint Capela have been backing up Sengun, but Adams– who has been out since January 19 with a Grade 3 ankle sprain — is out indefinitely. Adams is unlikely to return before April, though he may not play again this year.
Capela has seen his playing time increase slightly over the last four games, though the 31-year-old saw just seven minutes of action against Memphis last night. Capela has rebounded well and protected the rim effectively this season, but has struggled offensively. Dorian Finney-Smith saw time at the five behind Sengun versus the Grizzlies.
“Since Jan. 1, the team is just 7-6 with the 21st-ranked offense in the league, according to Cleaning the Glass, and has seen drops in its offensive rebounding rate in the week since Adams suffered a Grade 3 left ankle sprain,” Iko said in making his claim that the Rockets could use another big man. “The Rockets are an average half-court team in terms of points per possession, but now corral 31.5% of their own misses, 11th-best in the NBA.”
Will A Trade Take Place?
“It’s important to note Houston’s brass is merely pondering the idea right now,” Iko continued. “I’m sure Rockets fans are currently doing internal calculus concerning the more pressing need: center or guard depth. Because the Rockets are somewhat restricted financially, the most likely routes will come from inexpensive avenues.”
Houston has one open roster spot. But the Rockets are just $1.2 million from being hard-capped at the first apron.
However, coach Ime Udoka doesn’t believe that the Rockets will trade for a point guard, per ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
“We’ve always been confident and talked about our depth and relying on all these guys with Aaron [Holiday] and Jae’Sean [Tate] and guys that aren’t playing as much,” Udoka said. “We want to see what [Thompson and Sheppard] look like with a year of point guard play under their belt and getting Fred back eventually. For now, we want those guys to grow into that role.”
