After Joining Rockets, Dillon Brooks Reveals Which Teammate He 'Can't Wait To Work With'
Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks signed a four-year, $80 million deal on July 1 in a sign-and-trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. And according to ESPN, Brooks' contract has $4 million in incentives, which could bring his total deal to $90 million.
Once the deal became official Saturday afternoon, Brooks told The Athletic his intentions as a veteran leader with the Rockets, which includes his desire to work alongside second-year prospect Tari Eason.
"I’m here to teach. I can’t wait to work with Tari (Eason). I feel like he can be a great player — especially a great defender — and grow his game, his athleticism & everything. I can’t wait to work with him."
Despite playing just 21.5 minutes per game, Eason recorded 96 steals last season as a rookie — 16th-most in the NBA. The 22-year-old earned All-Rookie Second Team honors for his efforts.
The 6-foot-8 forward showed that he's capable of defending all five positions, while knowing when to switch assignments and help teammates as well.
Despite his success, the Rockets had the second-worst defensive rating in the association (118.6) last season. The more Eason works with Brooks, who earned All-Defensive Second Team honors last year, the greater the chances he plays more minutes during the 2023-24 season.
Rockets free agent signee Fred VanVleet also excelled defensively last season, as he averaged the NBA's third-most steals per game (1.8).
If Brooks helps develop Eason's defense, the two of them plus VanVleet have the potential to flip Houston's defensive ratings towards the better half of the league.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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