West Notes: Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, Jerami Grant

Rockets

The Rockets didn’t do a ton this offseason, but they still deserve a “B-plus” grade for the summer, according to Kevin Pelton of ESPN.

“With 14 players back from last season, the Rockets’ roster will look similar, but they’ve made two key moves,” Pelton wrote. “With the No. 3 pick, Houston was able to land my top-rated prospect in this year’s draft, Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard. Sheppard was the most impressive lottery pick at the NBA summer league in Las Vegas.”

That’s not all.

“Thanks to the James Harden trade in 2021, the Rockets were also well positioned to benefit from Brooklyn’s rebuild. Houston snagged two unprotected first-rounders and two swaps in return for one of each going back to the Nets,” Pelton added.

• The Rockets were among those who reportedly tried to trade for Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, as we relayed here.

Clippers

Losing Paul George to the 76ers was among the reasons Pelton gave the Clippers low marks. More specifically, a “D” grade was all the Clippers could muster.

“A player coming off an All-Star season hadn’t changed teams in free agency since the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard during the summer of 2019,” Pelton wrote. “George changed that when he decided to leave the Clippers this summer for Philadelphia. Despite liking most of the contracts the Clippers did sign, getting nothing but financial flexibility from George’s departure dooms their grade.”

At least the Clippers did seem to get better defensively — on paper, anyway.

“Having re-signed Harden for $70 million over two years, the Clippers are counting on him to lead the offense alongside new defensive-minded role players: Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr.,” Pelton added. “If Leonard misses time again, the Clippers could struggle on offense, and they don’t control their first-round picks until 2030.”

• The Clippers are believed to be among those interested in a sign-and-trade arrangement for Cavaliers guard/forward Isaac Okoro, a restricted free agent.

Lakers

The Lakers haven’t added a single outside veteran free agent this summer, earning them a “C” grade from Pelton.

“Since four Lakers exercised player options — starter D’Angelo Russell and reserves Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish and Christian Wood — they had little room to operate this summer,” Pelton wrote.

But hey, teams have all the way to February to make a move.

“Hanging on to those holdover players could give the Lakers more ability to add salary at the trade deadline,” Pelton wrote. “For now, they’re counting on better health and first-round pick Dalton Knecht to fill the holes that doomed the Lakers to the play-in last season despite a healthy Anthony Davis and LeBron James.”

• The Lakers repeatedly are being linked to Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, though it’s just the latest in a long line of media-driven scuttlebutt. For now, it does not appear the Lakers have enough to offer for the rebuilding Blazers, who are free to trade with anyone. Sources told Hoops Wire they don’t believe a Lakers offer could match one of another team if the Blazers aim to move Grant.
• Also, one executive said he doesn’t think Grant would really move the needle for LA, anyway. We have that full story here.