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Houston Rockets: 5 offseason moves to make

By Josh Criswell

Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Clutch entertains fans before a game against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets mascot Clutch entertains fans before a game against the Orlando Magic at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives for the basket in front of Sacramento Kings guard Ramon Sessions (9) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives for the basket in front of Sacramento Kings guard Ramon Sessions (9) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Sign-and-trade for Brandon Knight

Patrick Beverley has been a rock solid defender and a serviceable point guard for the Rockets throughout his NBA career, but Brandon Knight is simply a better player with tremendous potential.

At 23-years old, Knight has not even reached his prime yet, and while the Phoenix Suns will certainly look to match any offer made, they would also have to entertain sign-and-trade possibilities if presented with the right offer. Much like trading for Aldridge, he will not come cheap, though he’d be a major upgrade at point guard and would not cost quite as much the Trail Blazers’ big man.

Knight was averaging a career-high 5.4 assists for the Milwaukee Bucks this season before being traded to the Phoenix Suns and being moved to shooting guard. His ability to play anywhere in the backcourt is extremely valuable, especially considering how much James Harden handles the basketball for the Rockets.

Knight would open a completely new aspect to their offense, while not taking a major step back defensively. He may not be able to keep up with Patrick Beverley when it comes to nonstop tenacity on the defensive end, but Knight provides a No. 2 scoring option on the wing that Houston desperately needs.

As evidenced by their playoff matchups with the Clippers and Warriors, Harden cannot do everything; he needs a counterpart that can create scoring opportunities and deflect some of the focus of the defense away from him. Brandon Knight would fill this role perfectly.

Next: Re-sign Josh Smith

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