Rockets Free Agency: Does Dillon Brooks Fit Houston's Mold?

The Houston Rockets are hoping to add a list of veteran players in free agency, and Dillon Brooks could be a fit due to his defensive playstyle.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets became the first team to fill their head coaching vacancy this off-season. The Rockets hired coach Ime Udoka on April 25. 

Udoka had many suitors when determining his next destination. But during his introductory press conference a day later, Udoka revealed he chose the Rockets due to the team's young corps, draft lottery and salary cap space. 

General manager Rafael Stone has vowed the Rockets will be aggressive during their attempt to add veteran players in free agency. But how much does pending free agent Dillon Brooks fit the mold of the Rockets? 

Brooks is an early free-agent candidate who will hit the market in July. Brooks' time as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies ended on Tuesday morning after The Athletic reported that the Grizzlies are not re-signing Brooks "under any circumstances."

The Grizzlies' premature decision came following an embarrassing postseason outing against the Los Angeles Lakers, where Memphis fell in six games. 

Udoka described his coaching philosophy as toughness, respectability, accountability, and defense. He expects his players to adopt the same characteristics. The Rockets will have several prospects to consider when seeking players who match Udoka's principles. But the addition of the acquisition of Brooks could create a match for Houston.

"This summer has always been important to us for a lot of reasons," Stone said. “We’re obviously going to have another couple picks. But we’re also going to have the ability for the first time to really bring in veteran players and see if we can mesh the thing together."

Brooks is coming off a season where he averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He is one of the top wing defenders in the league, and Brooks' signing would help enhance the Rockets' appalling defense — which has finished near the bottom of the league for the third consecutive year. 

Brooks has the potential to be the equivalent of the role Marcus Smart had under Udoka during their one season together with the Boston Celtics.

The Rockets have their eyes set on making the playoffs next season and have emphasized improving their roaster. Brooks will make for a great addition to Houston. According to The Athletic, Brooks will have several suitors in July.

Brooks was a second-round pick (No. 45 overall) by the Rockets during the 2017 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Grizzlies immediately following the draft selection. In addition to the Rockets, Brooks has also been linked to the Detroit Pistons as another potential landing spot.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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