The Houston Rockets showed great progress during the 2014-15 season after late-season acquisitions like Josh Smith and Corey Brewer. The team reached the Western Conference Finals despite injuries as they displayed great team chemistry that could only get better over time. The issue is keeping all of those players together as contracts begin to expire. James Harden made his push to re-sign everyone for the following year.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Harden has been speaking with general manager Daryl Morey about adding another playmaker and keeping the roster together for the upcoming season. The question is whether or not that playmaker is Josh Smith returning in free agency or someone like Rajon Rondo.
"That's one of the conversations me and Daryl are going to have (and) the coaches," Harden said, via the Houston Chronicle. That's one of the pieces to add, but that's later conversations. We'll be all right. We're very confident in the group we have. This summer we have to work hard and be ready for next year. If we get Pat (Beverley) and D-Mo (Donatas Motiejunas) back healthy, we're a really good team, a really deep team. Jet (Jason Terry), Trevor (Ariza), Josh (Smith), Brew (Corey Brewer), this was all their first years here. We didn't really have any chemistry. It was all going off basketball instincts, kind of going out there playing. Once we get a feel for each other, a real feel for each other, the game will be a lot easier."
The Rockets need someone who can take the pressure off Harden. Smith and Corey Brewer should be considered locks to return, but likely at a reduced rate. The position Houston could opt to target is the point guard role. Jason Terry was starting a majority of postseason, but that clearly will not get the job done. Patrick Beverley will be returning, but can the Rockets do better?
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Mavericks are keeping a close eye on Beverley as Chandler Parsons is reportedly recruiting him. If Houston can get a better player, they likely will just let the restricted free agent walk away. Rondo will be a free agent the team likely cannot afford. However, players like Ty Lawson who is expected to command a trade or free agents like Brandon Knight or Reggie Jackson or could come at an easier price will being a quality addition.
Smith, Brewer and Terry have all expressed their desire to return to Houston next season. Harden is smart to endorse that. Getting a point guard could be the final piece to the championship puzzle for the Rockets.
