Here’s the Worst Free Agent Signing in Houston Rockets History

This one seemed like a good idea at the time

Mar 24, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) celebrates with forward Ryan Anderson (33) after a play during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The annual free agency period gives NBA franchises a chance to retool their rosters ahead of the upcoming season. This edition saw LeBron James agree to a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Houston Rockets have made numerous free agent signings over the years, with some additions working out better than others. When comparing the size of his contract to production on the court, there is an argument to be made that Ryan Anderson is the worst free agent signing in Rockets history.

Anderson signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Rockets in 2016. This made him the second-highest-earning player on Houston’s payroll for the upcoming season, behind only James Harden.

What Went Wrong?

In the season prior to his signing, Anderson averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over 66 games with the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Being promoted to a starting role in Houston, Anderson averaged 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds over 72 games. Although he was considered a vital piece of the Rockets’ offensive scheme, his $20 million annual salary was apparently steep considering Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and Paul Millsap were earning approximately the same amount.

For the 2017-2018 season, Anderson’s production decreased to 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds over 66 games. By this time, Houston was led by Harden and the newly acquired Chris Paul. With Anderson absorbing roughly 20% of Houston’s cap space, his contract limited the franchise’s financial flexibility as it attempted to build a formidable trio, and there were continued efforts to unload his contract.

For instance, in the summer of 2017, there were reports suggesting that the Rockets were in serious pursuit of Carmelo Anthony. Anderson’s contract, however, made it difficult for Houston to orchestrate a mutually appealing trade with the New York Knicks.

During the 2018 offseason, Anderson agreed to reduce the guarantee on his $21 million salary for the 2019-2020 season to $15.6 million. Soon after, the Rockets traded Anderson and De’Anthony Melton to the Phoenix Suns for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss.

Overall, Anderson’s two-season stint with the Rockets was not disastrous from a coaching perspective, but Houston’s front office made a clear misstep in managing the team’s cap space. With Houston making a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2018, a more financially friendly approach toward Anderson could have been a difference-maker in reaching the championship round.