NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets want to add a ‘savvy veteran’
The Houston Rockets have high hopes this offseason.
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After declining forward Chandler Parsons’ option and making him an unrestricted free agent, the Rockets are expected to try to trade for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love or sign, trade or sign-and-trade for New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony.
However, Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders believes the Rockets should focus on adding a “savvy veteran who knows how to win and will defend” and mentions Dallas Mavericks’ forward Shawn Marion and guard Vince Carter, Brooklyn Nets’ forward Andrei Kirilenko and Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Thabo Sefolosha as potential fits.
"All is well, thanks! First of all, the scenario you have laid out is not unlikely, but it would mean the Rockets had a disastrous offseason. They can’t take the court with the same team and the same coach and expect a different result. I’m looking for a savvy veteran who knows how to win and will defend. Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, maybe Kirilenko or Sefolosha. Those lower picks would seem to be irrelevant, but the Rockets do a great job with low picks. I’m sure some D-League players will get a lot of attention since they have experience in NBA situations. I’d look for a shooting guard to groom and a defensive-minded player."
Marion averaged 10.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season while Carter put up 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, Kirilenko averaged 5.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game and Sefolosha went for 6.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
The Rockets are also expected to show interest in Washington Wizards’ forward Trevor Ariza, who averaged Ariza averaged 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.