Rockets Free Agent Wish List Headlined By Brook Lopez And Austin Reaves
HOUSTON — Despite holding the No. 4 and 20 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets are determined to enhance their roster by adding veterans during free agency.
James Harden has become the Rockets' primary target in July. But outside of forming a reunion with their former franchise star, The Athletic recently reported that Houston also plans to pursue Dillon Brooks, Cam Johnson, Brook Lopez and Austin Reaves.
The Rockets will have nearly $60 million in salary cap space entering free agency, and general manager Rafael Stone hopes to make a huge splash.
"This summer has always been important to us for a lot of reasons," Stone said. “We’re obviously going to have another couple of picks. But we’re also going to have the ability for the first time to bring in veteran players and see if we can mesh the thing together."
The Rockets are feeling the urge to improve their inadequate play over the previous three seasons due to the Oklahoma City Thunder owning Houston's first-round pick in 2024 — one of the primary reasons behind the franchise quickly moving into phase II of their rebuilding project.
Yahoo Sports reported in April that Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton is another free-agent target for Houston. But Middleton will likely pick up his option to remain with the Bucks for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
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