Space City Scoop
Fansided

4 free agent guards the Houston Rockets need to target

By N.B. Lindberg

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball down court during the third quarter of an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the New Orleans Pelicans dribbles the ball down court during the third quarter of an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Houston Rockets
Norman Powell #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets guard to target #2: Norman Powell

Norman Powell has a player option for $11.6 million next season that he will almost certainly decline. If the Rockets want to add Powell they’ll have to open up the checkbook, but he’d certainly be worth it.

Since 2018-19 Powell has shot 48.9-percent on corner threes and 40.5-percent on all 3-point attempts. The Rockets finished dead last on corner threes at 34.2-percent and third to last on threes overall at 33.9-percent.

Powell would instantly be the Rockets’ best 3-point shooter and help give the team a boost in a serious area of need. 39.2-percent of all shots this season came from beyond the arc. To win in the modern NBA you need to be able to shoot the three.

The only issue with the Rockets pursuing Powell is that he’ll turn 28 in a week and is currently in his prime. There is nothing wrong with a team in a rebuild going after veterans who can help them right away, but it would be a massive investment for a player who won’t be impacting a real playoff race.

Who the Rockets target in free agency will show what their vision of their rebuild will be. If they go after Powell then it means they believe in a year or two they can be a playoff team, but if they pursue someone like Malik Monk then they believe they’re closer to five years away.

Norman Powell is an awesome player who fills an area of desperate need for the Rockets. However, he doesn’t exactly fit their timeline. The Rockets should see how much he’ll cost, but if it is in excess of $20 million then they should pass and look to build for 2023 and beyond.

Next: #1