If it's $32 million and $12 million, and then let you choose one, I think 100% of people will choose 32 million, right? Yes, the Rockets thought the same way, and with their deep pockets, they made an offer that all the low-level players could not refuse. But another player refused, and that was Dwight Powell. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Powell has signed a 3-year, $12 million contract with the Lone Ranger.
It was an incredible decision to cut wages, and he turned down $32 million from the Rockets for 4 years. Obviously, most people really think Powell is stupid because you don't understand what he's thinking, Powell is not 20 years old, not 25 years old. He turned 32 in July. It can be said that he has never received a high salary of 32 million in his life. It's very likely that the Rockets contract will become the next offer he will never receive again. The main reason is that the Rockets are a rebuilding team, and they need to pay a high price to grab people.
The Rockets grabbed Van Jordan, who had an annual salary of 30 million at a market price of 130 million in 3 years, with a premium of more than 10 million. The Rockets grabbed Dillon Brooks for 4 years for 80 million, his market price was 14 million, and the Rockets increased the price to 20 million, a premium of 6 million. As Björk Langdale, who joined the Rockets instead of Powell, his market price is a base-salary contract, and the Rockets directly gave 4 years and 32 million. However, the rocket left a hand, only the first year guaranteed, but Randale is already bloody.
Compared to Randale, who only has a one-year guarantee, it is the Rockets' distrust of his strength. But if Powell joins, the Rockets' four-year contract will be guaranteed, and the Rockets like Powell very much. Powell averaged 6.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.2 minutes per game in 2022-23 while shooting 73.2 percent from the field. This is the quality replacement the Rockets have been looking for, and they will sign Powell on a fully guaranteed contract. That's what we say, sometimes there is only one chance for a player.
Bottom-level players are not like superstars, don't they get a chance to get a big contract every year, like Van Jordan who is worth 40 million top salary? That's definitely not worth it. But sometimes when an opportunity comes, it's an opportunity. Rockets, which are really unattractive, are forced to rob people at a premium. This is the opportunity that many players wait for but can't wait. We don't know if Powell will regret his decision today in the future, but this time he actually lost $20 million, which is not a small amount.
Powell doesn't know what to think, but the Rockets really have no face, and the premium of 20 million can't grab players. I can only hope that the Rockets will hit the face next season. Van Jordan and Dillon are both veterans, Dillon is a second defensive lineman, Van Jordan has shown organizational skills with the Raptors, and has a long 37% three-point shooting percentage on off-ball shooting. These two are pioneers, and the Rockets rookie can grow tremendously. The Rockets starters for the new season will be Van Jordan point guard, Jaylen Green quarterback, small forward Dillon, power forward Smith and center Shin Kyung. The Rockets will not lose as long as they can make it to the playoffs and if they can make the playoffs, they can praise Stone.