Shooting for the stars: The 8 Players who most embody the Rockets’ style

8. Markieff Morris (F) – Los Angeles Lakers

Markieff Morris is emblematic of the modern NBA rotation piece. He defends multiple positions and hunts high-efficiency shots. He does everything you want from a rotation piece and nothing more. Almost half of Morris’s shots are three-pointers at 49.4 percent, just like the Rockets, but what pushes him down the list is that he shoots too many mid-range jumpers.

Morris takes 61.3 percent of his 2-pointers from mid-range compared to 41 percent for the Rockets. While Morris’s shot chart is not in perfect harmony with Houston’s, he would make a nice addition for 2021 and beyond. He hits his 3-pointers and can play the 3, 4 or 5 depending on if the Rockets want to go micro ball or old-fashioned bully ball.

Morris would give the team a ton of flexibility and his attitude and demeanor would mesh well with Houston’s two established superstars. He is a free agent in the offseason and has played for four teams in the past two seasons. If he’s not looking for a pay raise from the almost $4 million he made this year, then he’d fit right into any team’s budget.

The only thing preventing Morris from being an easy signing is himself. He’s currently on the Lakers and a big playoff could push his asking price out of the Rockets’ range.

Possibility of acquiring: Layup

7. Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF/C) – Memphis Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson Jr is the center of Mike D’Antoni and Daryl Morey’s dreams. He’s an elite 3-point shooter and has a top-10 block percentage. Where Jackson differs most from the Rockets is hoe he takes far more shots from three-to-10 feet and fewer shots at the rim than then they do.

Unfortunately, Jackson joining the Rockets is less likely than him pulling up for a long two (one percent). He’s 20 years old and a part of the Grizzlies exciting young core.

The Rockets would have to offer James Harden to get him in a trade and Memphis can keep him around for the foreseeable future. As much fun as Jackson would be running next to Harden and Westbrook, it seems unlikely it will ever happen outside of an All-Star game.

Possibility of acquiring: Mid-range 

Next: No. 6 & 5