9 point guards the Rockets can still pursue in free agency

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Shaquille Harrison #3 of the Chicago Bulls (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. Shaq Harrison

Shaq Harrison is a name that many may not recognize, as he’s received very little playing time during his past two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Harrison played just 11.3 minutes per game in 2019-20 and posted averages of 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per 36 minutes, which is a solid statline and a good gauge of his all-around game.

Harrison was the best defender on the Bulls, as he had the best individual defensive rating on the team, in addition to holding opponents to 43.8 percent from the floor, which put him within the top-five on the roster. Harrison’s defensive strengths should come as no surprise, as his 6-foot-4 frame allows him the versatility to defend both guard positions.

To that point, Harrison ranked in the 99th percentile in the NBA in steals per 75 possessions, while also leading the league in lose ball recovery rate, which further questions why he couldn’t get on the floor in Chicago. Harrison also ranked in the 99th percentile in the league in deflections per 75 possessions and in block rate on shot contests, while finishing in the 85th percentile in blocks per 75 possessions, which further illustrates his defensive strengths.

Harrison has been inconsistent with his long-range shooting, as he made just 26 percent of his threes through his first two seasons in the league, before making 38.1 percent of his treys in 2020-21. Harrison made 37 percent of his threes from the corner in 2019-20, which has proven to be a valuable skillset within the Houston Rockets offense with players like P.J. Tucker, and made 38.7 percent of his catch and shoot 3-pointers, which helps while playing alongside two of the best passers in the league in Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

Harrison would make for a quality addition by Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, and would thrive under Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who has a reputation of developing younger, less experienced players like Harrison.

Next: No. 2