Mbah a Moute gives Rockets shooting, clout

The Houston Rockets have come to terms with free agent small forward Luc Mbah a Moute, according to a report from ESPN's Chris Haynes. The deal is reportedly for one year at the veteran’s minimum.

Mbah a Moute is an elite wing defender who has improved his outside shot each year, and last season shot 39 percent on 3-pointers as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. To put that into context, that’s better than San Antonio’s Danny Green (38%), Cleveland’s Kevin Love, Golden State's Kevin Durant and the reigning 3-point shootout champion Eric Gordon (all 37%).

While it can’t be overlooked that Mbah a Moute attempted less shots than the other four made, he will see plenty of open looks playing alongside All-Stars Chris Paul and James Harden. If Mbah a Moute can keep up his shooting percentage, he may be the under-the-radar steal of free agency.

The addition of Mbah a Moute also would seem to put a little extra firepower in GM Darryl Morey’s bid to acquire Carmelo Anthony from New York. The addition of Mbah a Moute might make Trevor Ariza and his $7.4 million contract expendable.

Ariza isn’t the type of player New York has been said to be looking for in a return package centered on Anthony, but Ariza is still one of the better 3-and-D wings and is a true professional. Whether New York will be impacted by an addition of Ariza is hard to say, but he would no doubt be able to fetch some young talent or draft picks from a third team that would satisfy the Knicks' wishes.

Kyle Griffin: @GriffNBA