2023 NBA Free Agency: Rockets To Focus On Value When Seeking Veteran Players
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets will enter free agency with little under $60 million in cap space, the most in the league. And during coach Ime Udoka's introductory press conference on Wednesday, general manager Rafael Stone reiterated the team's desire to add veteran talent when free agency opens in July.
The Rockets have their eyes set on making the playoffs next season. But the franchise's desire to enhance its roster does not mean the Rockets will spend unnecessary money.
"At least in the free agent market, we’re trying to find value. We’re trying to find guys we think are undervalued. The way you build your roster is having people that outperform their contract and trying to find people who are better than other teams think they are. That’s our goal. There’s not just one way of doing that." — per Houston Chronicle.
James Harden has been linked to the Rockets as their primary free-agent target. But in recent days, Yahoo Sports reported that Milwaukee Bucks' forward Khris Middleton is another target for Houston.
Harden and Middleton would be worth a payday from the Rockets. But Houston would prefer to save some of their flexibility for next summer when Jaylen Brown headlines the free agency class of 2024.
But with the decoration that the franchise is entering phase II of its rebuilding project, the Rockets have the urge to add veteran players in hopes of improving their team for next season.
A source told Inside the Rockets that Houston will explore the possibility of trading their 2023 lottery pick should their selection fall outside the top-3.
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