Hoops Wire

Category: Rockets

Latest Houston Rockets Rumors and News.

  • Rockets Signing Aaron Holiday to One-Year Deal

    Rockets Signing Aaron Holiday to One-Year Deal

    The Rockets have agreed to a one-year contract with point guard Aaron Holiday, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.Aaron Holiday

    Holiday, 26, appeared in 63 games with the Hawks last season in a limited role, averaging career-lows of 3.9 points and 1.4 assists. That may be because he barely eclipsed his career-low of 12.9 minutes per game, set as a rookie.

    Holiday began his career with the Pacers and spent three seasons there before wanting to move on. But his career as not been the same since, as he’s spent time with the Suns and Wizards as well as the Hawks.

    The Rockets will be his fourth team in four years.

    The best he can likely hope for is to be the top backup to new point guard Fred VanVleet, who is arriving from the Raptors in free agency. Even then, the Rockets may turn to Kevin Porter Jr. as the main backup. 

  • Thunder to Acquire Patty Mills in Trade With Nets, Rockets

    Thunder to Acquire Patty Mills in Trade With Nets, Rockets

    The Thunder are acquiring Nets guard Patty Mills in a three-team trade that also includes the Rockets, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.Patty Mills

    Along with Mills, the Thunder will receive draft picks to take on Mills’ $6.8 million expiring contract, Wojnarowski added.

    It’s unclear what the Rockets and Nets are receiving in the deal at this point, but it’s not believed that either franchise will be taking back any players. 

    Mills, 34, has long been one of the league’s most-reliable players off the bench. He averaged 6.1 points on 41 percent shooting in 40 games last season. That included 37 percent on 3-pointers.

    Along with the Nets, Mills has spent time with the Trail Blazers and Spurs.

    Hoops Wire will have more on this trade as the news becomes available.

  • Jeff Green, Rockets Agree to One-Year Deal

    Jeff Green, Rockets Agree to One-Year Deal

    The Rockets have agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with forward Jeff Green, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

    Green, 36, is coming off a run to the championship as a key reserve for the Nuggets. He joins guard Fred VanVleet and forward Dillon Brooks among Houston’s offseason pickups.

    Green was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007, and has spent time with the Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies, Clippers, Magic, Cavaliers, Wizards, Jazz, Nets and Nuggets. This also serves as his second stint in Houston.

    He averaged 7.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 56 games last season, shooting 49 percent from the field.

  • Rockets, Dillon Brooks Agree to Four-Year Deal

    Rockets, Dillon Brooks Agree to Four-Year Deal

    Free-agent forward Dillon Brooks has agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Houston Rockets, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

    Brooks’ agent, Mike George of One Legacy Sports, informed Wojnarowski of the deal.

    Wojnarowski also reported: The Grizzlies are finalizing a sign-and-trade with Houston on Dillon Brooks’ new deal and will generate a substantial trade exception, sources tell ESPN.”

    The deal elicited some surprise on Twitter, including the usual peanut-gallery reactions. But can you blame them? That’s a lot of dough-re-mi.

    It’s been a busy day on the NBA free agency front. You will want to keep track of all available free agents, so make sure you check back for the latest.

  • Rockets Remain in Play for Sixers’ James Harden

    Rockets Remain in Play for Sixers’ James Harden

    The Rockets continue to be a serious contender to sign 76ers star guard James Harden in free agency, a source told Sam Amick of The Athletic.James Harden drives by Jaylen Brown.

    That’s the opposite of what speculation has indicated lately, suggesting that Harden is headed back to Philadelphia. He is said to be seeking a four-year deal after declining his player option.

    Harden, 33, has a close bond with the Rockets, or more specifically, the city of Houston. But he is also tight with former Rockets GM Daryl Morey, now the president of basketball operations with the Sixers.

    Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Harden has shown “renewed consideration” to Morey and Philadelphia, per Stein. Still, a reunion with the Rockets apparently is not yet out of the question.

    Even without Harden, the Sixers would have only about $9 million in cap space — meaning it would be difficult to find a replacement, noted Bobby Marks of ESPN. 

  • James Harden Seems Increasingly Likely to Return to Sixers

    James Harden Seems Increasingly Likely to Return to Sixers

    James Harden may not be headed for a reunion with the Rockets, after all.James Harden drives by Jaylen Brown.

    Instead, it seems, the 76ers star guard is increasingly leaning toward a return to Philadelphia, as relayed by Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

    Harden has a close bond with the Rockets, or more specifically, the city of Houston. But he is also tight with former Rockets GM Daryl Morey, now the president of basketball operations with the Sixers.

    Morey is among the reasons Harden could decide to stay with the Sixers, Stein suggested. Per previous reports, Harden is expected to opt out of his contract and will seek a new four-year deal.

    While nothing is for certain, Harden is showing “renewed consideration” to Morey and Philadelphia, per Stein.

    So another year of Harden and center Joel Embiid very well could be in the cards. Once the 76ers get that figured out, they will undoubtedly decide on other ways to reset the roster under new coach Nick Nurse.

    Meanwhile, the Rockets seemingly have all sorts of plans to try to return to competitiveness under new coach Ime Udoka. It will start with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

    Keep up with all of that and more on our Rockets page and 76ers page.

  • Rockets Have Multiple Veteran Free Agents on Radar

    Rockets Have Multiple Veteran Free Agents on Radar

    If the Rockets can’t land 76ers guard James Harden, they could try to steal Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, as we relayed here.Khris Middleton tries to drive by Jimmy Butler

    If they fail to land either, well, it doesn’t appear they will give up in their hopes of a quick turnaround under new coach Ime Udoka.

    Per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Rockets GM Rafael Stone and the front office could have several other free agent targets in their sights. That list is likely to include Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, Nets forward Cam Johnson, Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, and Bucks forward Khris Middleton and center Brook Lopez.

    VanVleet and Middleton, like Harden, are expected to decline player options and enter free agency at the end of the month. Brooks and Lopez will both be free agents, minus contract extensions. And the Grizzlies have already made it clear they do not intend to offer one to Brooks.

    Johnson is the lone restricted free agent of the aforementioned, meaning the Nets could match a Rockets offer. Then again, the Rockets have about $60 million in cap space and could use some of it to make a massive offer for Johnson and give the Nets something to think about.

    Along with all that, the Rockets reportedly have been weighing trades centered on the No. 4 overall draft pick. (Full post.)

    Meanwhile, Harden is said to be seriously weighing whether to return to the Rockets or remain with the 76ers.

  • Pursuit of Kyrie Irving Viewed as Fallback Plan if Rockets Don’t Land James Harden

    Pursuit of Kyrie Irving Viewed as Fallback Plan if Rockets Don’t Land James Harden

    Should the Rockets fail in their attempts at a reunion with 76ers guard James Harden, they could try to make a run at Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.Kyrie Irving

    Irving is entering free agency and Harden is expected to do the same, as he can opt out of his current contract. Harden, it seems, would be the Rockets’ preference, and it’s been reported he will indeed weigh a return to Houston.

    But if that doesn’t happen … well, the target apparently could become Irving.

    Based on multiple reports, the Rockets want to put together a competitive roster under new coach Ime Udoka. Landing a Harden or Irving would theoretically be a good start. But for now, it seems as if it’s little more than a dream. Irving, it is believed, is likely to return to Dallas.

    Then again, neither scenario — Harden to Philadelphia or Irving back to the Mavs — is a foregone conclusion.

    Houston is armed with loads of cap space this offseason, and again, intends to use it to bring in immediate reinforcements. Along with that, the Rockets are said to be open to trading their No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

    It’s not known if Irving has an interest in Houston, though. As we relayed here, he’s said to be trying to get the Mavs to explore a trade for Lakers star LeBron James.

    Basically, NBA free agency is just a few weeks away, and as we always say at this time of year, stay tuned.

  • West Rumors: Rockets, James Harden, Blazers, Pelicans

    West Rumors: Rockets, James Harden, Blazers, Pelicans

    Rockets

    Star guard James Harden appears to be serious about a potential return to the Rockets in free agency, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

    Harden is said to weighing whether to pay for the 76ers, or the Rockets, and reportedly is seeking a four-year contract. He is eligible for free agency later this month and is indeed expected to test it.

    “I don’t think he knows, as far as what I know about his mindset, I don’t think he totally is there,” Charania said on the Ryen Russillo podcast. “We’re less than a month out from free agency starting. I really think he’s torn with the prospect of staying in Philadelphia or moving on to Houston potentially and returning back to his home.

    “That’s where his roots are and his family there of course. They’ve got upwards of $60 million [in cap space]. They can make even more money available, close to $70 million in cap space.

    “They’re going to have a ton of money and I think this is a team in Houston where I do believe they are going to be aggressive in the marketplace, potentially two-year deals, balloon-type deals. I’ve heard whether it’s Dillon Brooks, Brook Lopez, obviously James Harden. They’re going to be a team that’s going to be trying to beef up that roster. Now, whether that’s anywhere from three to five veteran players…

    “My sense right now is that James Harden is someone who is torn.”

    Harden, 33, showed signs of continued greatness, as well as some wear and tear, as the Sixers were eliminated by the Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

    Houston is expecting to be able to pry him away, per Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

    “I think whichever way it goes, it’s going to be relatively close,” Charania said. “That’s why as we get closer to July 1, June 30th, those conversations that he’s going to have, as he becomes a free agent, with Nick Nurse and with Daryl Morey, what their vision is for him, what their vision is for that team, what that offer ultimately is going to be versus comparing it to whatever Houston comes with on June 30th or July 1, those are all very important factors. This is a guy that you would assume would sit down with both teams. Philadelphia is going to have a window earlier, potentially going in and scheduling meetings. This is a situation now where we’re going to see which way it lands.”

    Trail Blazers

    • The Blazers consider guard Shaedon Sharpe untouchable in trade talks, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Sharpe is coming off a promising rookie season, averaging 9.9 points and 3.0 rebounds.
    • That said, the Blazers are weighing what to do with the No. 3 overall draft pick, and whether to keep it, as they look to build around star guard Damian Lillard, Fischer added.
    • Lillard suggested he’s fine with staying in Portland and that he thinks the Blazers have the assets to build a competitive roster. We have that full story here.

    Pelicans

    • New associate head coach James Borrego is known for having a sharp offensive mind, per Christian Clark of NOLA.com. The Pelicans were seeking someone with experience to assist coach Willie Green, Clark added.
    • Borrego coached Green on two occasions when Green was a player, Clark noted. The first came Borrego was an assistant in New Orleans, the other when Borrego was interim coach for the Magic.
    • Assistant Jarron Collins is expected to remain on Green’s coaching staff after being considered a favorite for the Pistons’ vacancy. That job eventually went to former Suns coach Monty Williams.
    • Duke center Dereck Lively II might make sense for the Pelicans with the No. 14 overall pick, Clark wrote in a separate piece. New Orleans could use the type of shot-blocking that Lively is expected to offer.
  • Stephen Silas to Join Pistons’ Monty Williams as Lead Assistant

    Stephen Silas to Join Pistons’ Monty Williams as Lead Assistant

    Former Rockets coach Stephen Silas is joining Monty Williams and the Pistons as a lead assistant, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.Stephen Silas

    Williams was hired by Detroit earlier this month to replace Dwane Casey, who moved into the front office after five seasons on the sideline. 

    Meanwhile, Silas was dismissed after the season in Houston and replaced by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka. Silas had been considered a strong candidate to become an assistant under Joe Mazzulla with the Celtics, but has decided to join Williams instead. The Celtics have hired Sam Cassell as an assistant, as we relayed here.

    Silas, 49, coached the Rockets for three seasons, compiling a 59-117 record. That included a 22-60 mark this past season. His record, however, was largely a result of the Rockets going on a major youth movement and rebuilding.

    Before coaching the Rockets, Silas spent 17 years as an assistant with the Mavericks, Hornets, Cavaliers and Warriors. He is the son of late NBA legend and former coach Paul Silas.

  • Rockets Expected to Weigh Trading No. 4 Pick

    Rockets Expected to Weigh Trading No. 4 Pick

    The Rockets are likely to “heavily discuss” trading their No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

    It appears Houston is looking to inch closer to the play-in tournament, if not beyond, after hiring coach Ime Udoka. That may include adding veterans via trade or in free agency.

    The Rockets repeatedly have been linked to a reunion with 76ers guard James Harden and several other veterans who could be available this summer. Raptors forward OG Anunoby is another player who has been linked to Houston.

    Rival executives are viewing the Rockets as the team most likely to deal its lottery pick. Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, they have already received multiple calls.

    But actually dealing it may not be so easy for GM Rafael Stone.

    “In reality, history doesn’t favor the odds of the fourth pick being traded for an established player,” Iko wrote. “Given that the Rockets don’t own a top-three pick, the list of suitable trade partners likely whittles down to mid-tier willing to press the reset button or lower-level teams that have players in the second threshold of talent.”

    Along with the pick, the Rockets may be willing to move one of their younger players for an established standout veteran, sources said.

  • NBA Notes: Hawks, Trae Young, Rockets, James Harden, Heat

    NBA Notes: Hawks, Trae Young, Rockets, James Harden, Heat

    Hawks

    While the Lakers reportedly have held discussions about what it would take to land Hawks guard Trae Young (full post), there doesn’t seem to be anything happening between Young and the Hawks, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

    “I think there’s more there’s more smoke with (Mavericks star Kyrie Irving) than Trae Young right now,” Haynes said on the This League Uncut Podcast, with Marc Stein of The Stein Line. “From what I’ve heard, there’s nothing brewing with Trae Young and the Hawks. Like there hasn’t been any meeting or anything like that to request a trade. There’s nothing like that has happened with Trae, nothing.”

    • Young and coach Quin Synder seemed to be on the same page and looking forward to trying again next season, a league source told Hoops Wire. In short, there is no sense that the Hawks are aiming to move Young this offseason.

    Rockets

    Clippers forward Paul George said the Rockets should stick with their youth movement and not aim for a reunion with 76ers star James Harden, who’s expected to opt out of his contract and enter free agency.

    George made the comments to Rockets guard Jalen Green on Podcast P with Paul George.

    “Personally, I wouldn’t (pursue Harden),” George told Green, via Matt John of Heavy Sports. “At this point, that’s your [team]. Like, you’re the King of Houston. They made their decision … on who the future is. When you pick a guy with the fourth pick, he’s our guy. They full-on committed to who the future is. Like you got to go through this. You got to go through being double-teamed, triple-teamed, being a target every time. You gotta go through that.”

    George went on to say that the Rockets need to let their young players develop.

    “You bring on someone like James who’s such a ball-dominant player like that’s gonna hinder your growth a little bit,” George told Green. “You know what I mean? Regardless of how it can elevate you on another level of him teaching you and you learning off of him, I feel like for you, you’ve already been through the fire. So, let you continue to learn.”

    • Houston continues to receive trade offers for the No. 4 overall pick, as we relayed here.

    Heat

    Star wing Jimmy Butler didn’t appear all that concerned with the Heat’s inability to close out the Eastern Conference finals, losing to the Celtics in Game 4 at home.

    “We are going to listen to some music, we’re going to drink some beers back there, I’m going to go have some wine,” Butler said, via Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

    Butler predicted the Heat will indeed emerge from the series to face the Nuggets in the Finals.

    “The only thing I’m going to say is, ‘We’ll be OK,’” Butler said. “Let’s get back to doing what we’ve always done to get us to this point. Continually have belief in one another, knowing that we are going to win, and we will.”

    We have more on the Heat’s Game 4 loss right here.

  • NBA Notes: Lakers, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Rockets

    NBA Notes: Lakers, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Rockets

    Lakers

    Star big man Anthony Davis isn’t giving up on the idea that the Lakers can be true title contenders next season.

    “Yeah, I mean, like I said, coming off a season of not making it to the playoffs, and then coming back when didn’t really have a chance and making it to the Western Conference finals, we are definitely trending in the right direction,” Davis said, via Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation.

    The Lakers could undergo some changes, of course, and not just because forward LeBron James indicated he is weighing retirement.

    “We don’t know what our group is going to look like,” Davis said, via Ward. “A lot of our guys are free agents. So who knows? That’s a tough question. We don’t know what team we have next year.”

    • James may not know yet if he’s returning, but he has left little doubt about his impact if he does play next season. That includes even if he needs summer foot surgery. “I’m still better than 90% of the NBA,” he said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “Maybe 95.”
    • In case you missed it, the Lakers are being linked to both Hawks guard Trae Young, and of course, Mavericks free agent guard Kyrie Irving. We have that full post here.

    NBA

    Veteran forward Carmelo Anthony announced his retirement Monday with zero titles and zero Finals appearances.

    But one of the NBA’s greatest scorers of all time, Anthony indicated he is pleased with how his career played out.

    “I’m at peace. That doesn’t bother me no more; that idea that you’re a loser if you don’t win a championship,” Anthony said in a wide-ranging feature from Chris Herring of Sports Illustrated. “For me, I’ve won. I won back in 2003, the night I shook David Stern’s hand on that [draft] stage. I made it out of Red Hook. I’ve won at life. The ring is the only thing I didn’t get. It would’ve been a great accomplishment, but I don’t regret it, because I feel like I did everything I could to get it.”

    Rockets

  • Multiple Teams Calling Rockets About No. 4 Overall Pick

    Multiple Teams Calling Rockets About No. 4 Overall Pick

    The Rockets have been receiving calls about their No. 4 overall pick from multiple teams ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic.Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone

    As Iko reported earlier this month, the Rockets have been willing listeners as they aim to go from league bottom-feeder to playoff contender under new coach Ime Udoka.

    While the top three picks of French center Victor Wembanyama, G League guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller are said to be set in stone, there’s considerably more mystery about who will go No. 4.

    But talking about trading the pick and actually doing it are two different things entirely.

    “In reality, history doesn’t favor the odds of the fourth pick being traded for an established player,” Iko wrote. “Given that the Rockets don’t own a top-three pick, the list of suitable trade partners likely whittles down to mid-tier willing to press the reset button or lower-level teams that have players in the second threshold of talent.”

    The Rockets could also look up to move a spot by packaging the Nos. 4 and 20 overall picks, Iko noted. The Hornets are drafting No. 2 overall, with the Trail Blazers set to select one spot later.

    Houston could also just keep their picks and aim to add veteran free agents via free agency. They repeatedly have been linked to a reunion with 76ers guard James Harden, and supposedly have Lakes guard Austin Reaves and Nets forward Cam Johnson on their radar, among others.