NBA Free Agency: 10 teams facing most pressure to succeed
By Tom West
10. Houston Rockets
2015 Western Conference Finalists to a painfully lacklustre 8th seed in 2016.
The Rockets were without doubt one of the NBA’s biggest disappointments this season, even though most weren’t expecting them to recreate such success from a year ago. James Harden’s defense regressed to new levels of effortlessness, their offense was far too reliant on his scoring and ball dominance, and they unsurprisingly ranked 20th in defensive efficiency.
When it was time for their first round playoff series against the Warriors, actually showing up to play seemed like a random afterthought for them behind the excitement of a summer vacation.
So, what could be in store for the Rockets in free agency?
First and foremost, the issue of Dwight Howard will be the center of attention. It’s no secret that he’s been unhappy with his limited role and his lack of chemistry with Harden has been obvious, leaving the Rockets with a gaping hole to fill in their frontcourt and the need to possibly find a new star (or at least a couple of talented pieces) to replace him.
A recent interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan shed even more light on the matter:
"Howard: “I felt like my role was being reduced. I went to [Rockets general manager] Daryl [Morey] and said, ‘I want to be more involved.’ Daryl said, ‘No, we don’t want you to be.’ My response was, ‘Why not? Why am I here?’ It was shocking to me that it came from him instead of our coach. So I said to him, ‘No disrespect to what you do, but you’ve never played the game. I’ve been in this game a long time. I know what it takes to be effective.”’"
Now, the hiring of Mike D’Antoni as the team’s new head coach — someone Howard didn’t want to play for — is the final nail in the already air-tight sealed coffin.
It seems like Howard must surely be on his way out. And now, according to a report from Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Rockets are feeling ambitious by pursuing Al Horford:
"A person familiar with the organization told Sporting News that landing Hawks star Al Horford is the Rockets’ top-line goal in free agency, and Ryan Anderson also would be a possibility. Also, expect Morey to be creative when pursuing sign-and-trade deals involving star players like Blake Griffin, Jimmy Butler or Carmelo Anthony, should they become available."
The likes of Anthony, Griffin and Butler all seem ambitious to say the least, especially when you consider the little matter of who on earth the Rockets could use in a trade if they want to keep Harden. No one. Not unless they gut their team, and even then they won’t necessarily have enough.
The Rockets will pursue major changes by the sound of it, but they might not get very far.
Next: 9. Atlanta Hawks