Should the Rockets be interested in Glenn Robinson?

With the Houston Rockets reportedly interested in adding Glenn Robinson III, such a move might be the worst move by general manager Rafael Stone this offseason.

The Houston Rockets have roughly $8 million remaining on their Mid-Level Exception, which will allow them to bring in another player, or players, should they choose to divvy up those funds. The Rockets already have 15 players under contract, with Kenny Wooten and Mason Jones each on two-way deals.

The NBA allows 15 traditional contract slots and two additional two-way roster spots, meaning the Rockets have room for two more players, should they choose to max out their roster spots. The Rockets have reportedly been interested in adding Glenn Robinson III, who has spent time with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors, in just six seasons in the NBA.

Robinson played the best basketball of his career during his 2019-20 stint with the Golden State Warriors, as he posted averages of 12.9 points and 4.7 rebounds, in addition to making 40 percent of his threes through 48 games with the Dubs. It’s easy to see why the Rockets would be intrigued by Robinson, the son of Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, who was the top overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, as he provides length at 6-foot-6 and youth, as he’s just 26-years-old.

Should the Houston Rockets be interested in Glenn Robinson III?

But the Rockets have a plethora of wings already, ranging from Danuel House, JaeSean Tate, P.J. Tucker (who has the versatility of being used as a big), James Harden, David Nwaba, Ben McLemore, and Eric Gordon, meaning the Rockets’ top priority shouldn’t be adding another wing. With all of that depth at the position, it’s worth wondering how many minutes Robinson would get in Houston anyways.

The reserve point guard position carries much more importance, and remains the top overall need for the team, as Austin Rivers, who occupied that role over the past two seasons, was dealt to the New York Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal that was finalized on Friday.

Even if the Rockets do intend to stagger Russell Westbrook and James Harden’s minutes at the position, bringing in another guard could be the key to keeping their minutes low enough for them to both be fresh during the postseason, which has proven to be a challenge for each of them.

Both players are sure to carry another heavy load, similar to the 2019-20 season in which Harden ranked third in usage rate and Westbrook ranked sixth in usage rate, so why wouldn’t the Rockets use their remaining roster spot on adding another point guard?

It could be possible that the Rockets intend to give Chris Clemons a run at that role, but with his salary not being fully guaranteed until February 27th, the Rockets would be wise to waive him to bring in another veteran guard, of which there are many remaining on the free agent market.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has had the look of a brilliant general manager, as he’s pressed forward in spite of the challenges he was faced with upon accepting the general manager position, but signing Robinson would be one of his first bad decisions, as the Rockets simply don’t need another wing.