There will be an odd man out for the Houston Rockets this offseason. The team cannot keep everyone together while giving players the contracts they desire. The Rockets have a majority of their cap space wrapped into Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard and James Harden which is going to make their free agency spending difficult. As players like Josh Smith and Corey Brewer proved they can be essential for the team, will Patrick Beverley be the man left out?
Beverley will be a restricted free agent this upcoming offseason and while he ended the season with an injury, interest is high in the young point guard. Beverley looked strong throughout the season, but the Rockets proved they can handle the games without him. Beverley was good but is he worth offering a big contract to over someone like Smith or Brewer?
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets are not planning on making Beverley a priority if another team makes a big offer on the point guard. If Chandler Parsons has his way, the Dallas Mavericks will be the team to win the Beverley race.
"I hear from Chandler every day," Beverley said, via the Chronicle. "It's hard, but I try not to think about it. I can't talk about contracts. It's going to be a fun summer. I have put myself in a position to be set for life and that's something that I never thought was possible growing up. This is the only team in the league - I am very loyal - only team in the league that really took a chance on me. At the end of the day, I understand it's a business." "I am hearing numbers I have never heard in my life. It's a blessing. I have worked my (butt) off to get where I am today."
If the Rockets are going to improve at the point guard position, the team will likely be forced to trade over signing someone directly. There are certainly available options. According to the JournalTimes.com, Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets will be available via trades as the team seeks draft picks. Brandon Jennings could be an option for the team if the Detroit Pistons opts to re-sign Reggie Jackson.
The Rockets could try and re-sign Jason Terry to a cheaper contract. Terry proved to be a solid option during the postseason, but can he do it for an entire season? Harden has voiced his support to bring back Terry, but that could cost the Rockets another player.
