The Rocket 13+2 list is out! 9 operational makeovers: Can Van Jordan lead the team back to the playoffs
On July 2, Beijing time, the Rockets completed a number of consecutive signings and trades, becoming the most active team in the free agent market on the second day. After signing VanVleet on the first day of maximum salary (3 years of 130 million top salary, 3rd year is a team option), they brought in Dillon Brooks, Mills, Landale, Jeff Green, and obtained the signing rights of Alpha Kaba, sending Martin Jr., Tytay Washington, Christopher and Garuba to improve the overall strength of the team, and the new season is expected to hit the playoffs.
4 years 80 million signed for Dillon
The Rockets and Dillon Brooks finalized a four-year, $80 million contract, and Woj followed up with reports that this is expected to be a signing deal, which is expected to result in a significant deal exception. In addition, the annual salary of the four-year contract is gradually decreasing: $21.62 million in 2023-24, $20.54 million in 2024-25, $19.45 million in 2025-26, and $18.37 million in 2026-27.
The 27-year-old Dillon has a close relationship with the Rockets, having been selected with the 45th pick in the second round of the 2017 draft, and the team that drafted him was the Rockets. It was just that the Rockets traded with the Grizzlies to send Dillon to Memphis for a 2018 second-round pick (which later became Melton).
It is worth mentioning that the general manager of the Grizzlies at that time was Chris Wallace, and in 2021, Wallace has joined the Rockets as a scouting director. Dillon's joining the Rockets this time may also have something to do with Wallace.
Dillon spent six years with the Grizzlies, becoming one of the NBA's top wing defenders and was named to both the All-Defensive Team last season. However, his antics, defensive maneuvers and poor shooting choices also caused the Grizzlies to lose trust in him and decided not to renew Dillon's contract. Dillon's taunting of James as "old" in the series against the Lakers also caused a lot of controversy, and he was fined $25,000 by the league for failing to fulfill his media interview obligations.
Seon lost his horse, Yan Zhi was not blessed, Dillon was abandoned by the Grizzlies, but he got a big contract with an annual salary of 20 million yuan here in the Rockets.
4 years 32 million signed Randale
In addition to Dillon, another important signing for the Rockets is the 4-year 32 million acquisition of Suns backup center Langdale. Randale, who played for four years at Saint Mary's University and also played overseas, joined the Spurs in 2021 and played for the Suns in 2022-23. Last season, Randale played in 69 games, averaging 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds.
He's a reliable backup center with outstanding rebounding ability and good finishing strength at the basket. The data shows that when Randale plays, the Suns can score 7.9 more points per 100 rounds. Previously, the Suns withdrew their qualification offer to Langdale in order to sign Eubanks, making him a free agent.
It is reported that Landale's 4-year contract, only the first year is fully guaranteed.
In addition, the Rockets had offered Da Lopez for 2 years and 54 million, but Da Luo finally decided to renew the Bucks for 2 years 48 million.
Trade with the Nets for Mills
The Rockets acquired Mills of the Nets by trade, and they had salary space to eat Mills' $6.8 million contract without having to send other players to the Nets.
Mills, 34, will bring outside firepower to the rockets. Last season, he played in 40 games with the Nets, averaging 6.2 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from three-point range. In contrast, Mills played better in his first season with the Nets. In 2021-22, Mills averaged 11.4 points per game and shot 40 percent from three-point range. Mills brings experience and range to the rocket.
Rockets 5 for 1 get Kaba signing rights
According to several sources, the Rockets sent Taitai Washington Jr. + Garuba + draft picks to the Hawks. Hawks reporter Lauren L. Williams reported that the Hawks sent the signing of Alpha Kaba (No. 60 pick 2017) to the Rockets, getting Washington + Garuba + a 2025 second-round pick from the Timberwolves + a 2028 Rockets second-round pick and $1.1 million in cash.
Alpha Kaba, a 27-meter-tall forward who is 2.08 meters, is a French player who has yet to play in the NBA, and the Rockets made a move to free up roster spots.
The Rockets signed Jeff Green for 1 year and 6 million
Scotto reports that the Rockets signed veteran Jeff Green for 1 year and 6 million. Jeff Green, who is about to turn 37, played in 56 regular-season games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 28.8% from three-point range;
In 2019-20, Jeff Green played in 18 regular-season games for the Rockets, averaging 12.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range.
The Rockets left Huggins and sent Martin Jr. and Christopher away
Huggins has signed a qualification offer from the Rockets and will continue to play for the Rockets as a two-way contract player next season. Last season, Huggins averaged 19 points per game in the Development League.
In addition, the rocket sent Christopher to the Grizzlies; Send Martin to the Clippers in exchange for two future second-round picks. Christopher was the No. 24 pick in 2021 and averaged 5.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists last season, and Martin Jr. was the No. 52 pick in 2020, averaging 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season.
The Rockets 13+2 new roster is out, can they return to the playoffs?
Counting the first day of signing VanVleet, the Rockets have completed nine operations. Their new roster is out: VanVleet, Dillon, Mills, Jeff Green, Randale, Porter Jr., Jaylen Green, Shenjing, Jabari Smith Jr., Ethan, Tate, Amen Thompson, Whitmore, Deith (two-way), Huggins (two-way). Will they be able to successfully return to the playoffs under new leader VanVleet?