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The Rockets should try to bring back Luc Mbah a Moute

By Michael Knight

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on February 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Luc Mbah a Moute #12 of the Houston Rockets warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on February 28, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Rockets will need all the depth they can get next season, and one player, in particular, should be re-signed.

The Houston Rockets pulled off a heist last summer when they signed veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute for a $2 million minimum contract. He had a great season for the team and surprised a lot of people with his play.

Luc continued to shoot the ball well in a new system that encouraged him to hoist up 3-pointers as often as he can. On the year, he shot 36.4% from downtown on about 3 attempts per game.

Unfortunately, he dislocated his shoulder twice during the season. After the second one, he never quite looked the same and appeared to have rushed back from this injury. With the offseason still ahead, hopefully, he can get back to his usual self.

If he is willing to take a similar contract, Luc Mbah a Moute should definitely be re-signed by the Rockets. His versatility and ability to come off the bench and provide solid minutes is a huge reason why.

His defense

Luc has turned into a decent shooter, but his true bread and butter is his defense. His ability to switch onto practically anyone was huge for the Rockets and perfectly fit their defensive system. When he was healthy and in the game, Houston was a noticeably better squad.

He also averaged over a steal a game and could take turns locking down an opponent’s best player. This is the type of guy the Rockets need back in red.

His offense

The offense of Mbah a Moute is actually very underrated. He has decent ball handling ability and can drive to the rim and (normally, when healthy) finish with layups or nice dunks. Those dunks got him injured twice, though, so we might not see too many of them next year.

Next: How can the Rockets trade Ryan Anderson?

While Chris Paul was out at the beginning of the year, Luc, at times, played point guard for the bench unit. His versatility on both ends is why Houston should be signing him back for another year.

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