NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Houston Rockets

3 of 5

Apr 23, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets guard Lou Williams (12) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bench production, or lack of it

Houston’s bench situation in a total disaster right now. The Rockets have been playing the same lineup for most of the season and have had issues getting production out of anyone off the bench not named Lou Williams or Eric Gordon.

Most recently, in Game 5 in their last series with the Spurs, they recklessly played only seven players putting heavy miles on their core group. That game went to overtime too!

Injury-prone Sam Dekker, the 18th overall pick in the 2015 draft has failed to live up to the hype. He averaged only six points in just over 18 minutes per contest. Nene is still productive but is starting to show his age. K.J. McDaniels was dealt to Brooklyn and now unfortunately for Houston is actually starting to play really well.

Montrezl Harrell filled in nicely for Clint Capela during the regular season when he went down but still needs time to develop.

Houston will have some cap space next season and will need to attract some role players to help off the bench. It wouldn’t be hard pressed to think that some players would be willing to take a pay cut in order to up their chances of getting a ring.

If the Rockets expect to continue to play at D’Antoni’s exhaustive pace, they are going to have to get deeper and get James Harden some more rest while they are at it.

Home/Houston Rockets