Rockets want to flip Ryan Anderson for a useful wing

Rockets should consider flipping Ryan Anderson for one of these wings

HOUSTON, TX - June 1: Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey is interviewed as the Rockets announce D'Antoni as their new head coach on June 1, 2016 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2 of 3

MIAMI, FL – APRIL 11: Tyler Johnson #8 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half at American Airlines Arena on April 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Tyler Johnson

This is the year Johnson gets really expensive for the Heat. His salary will skyrocket from just under $6 million all the way to $19 million and change next season. That puts him very close to Anderson in terms of overall salary, and it also means the Heat would consider letting him go.

Like Smith, Johnson is a natural two guard who would at least have a chance to stay with Golden State’s perimeter players. He, like a lot of guys, could really struggle to stay in front of Steph Curry, but he might have a chance to compete against Thompson. His willingness to stay glued to his man would at least give him the opportunity to chase Thompson away from his dagger threes from the corner.

The upside to acquiring Johnson is that he would give the Rockets another guard who could toggle easily between the point and two-guard spot on offense. Think of him as high-quality insurance in case either James Harden or Chris Paul is forced to miss time due to injury. Paul, in particular, is a solid bet to miss a stretch of games every year.

If the Rockets are looking for a real upgrade in the playoffs they need to look at the next guy on this list. If they are content to turn Anderson into a useful regular season player, investing in Johnson makes a lot of sense. He wouldn’t be a non-factor in the postseason, but he’d struggle defensively against the Warriors.

Home/Houston Rockets