DeMar DeRozan could be exactly what the Rockets' offense is missing

On a team surrounded by defense, the idea of adding an offense-first player to the fold is worth a look. DeMar DeRozan is available, and the system in place could be a dream for him, one where he only has to focus on being his best self as a scorer.

The Houston Rockets have some great defenders, such as Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. Adding a player like DeRozan can take pressure off the offensive woes that hindered the team last season. Looking back at DeRozan's career, his game can speak for itself.

Looking back at Derozan's career

Expanding on that, in July of 2017, I took a trip to the city of Toronto, and it was one of the best trips I have taken. It was an interesting visit. Fun fact, it was the same week that Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather were doing their media stop for their fight.

I am such a nerd when it comes to sports, so visiting places like the Hockey Hall of Fame, Rogers Centre, and the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) was a must. The city and its basketball arena, which I somehow ended up in, were littered with DeRozan advertisements.

At this point, DeRozan was seen as a franchise icon and one of the Toronto Raptors’ best homegrown talents. After the trip, I was always interested in following DeRozan’s career, but as many of you already know, he was not in Toronto much longer after this moment, which has led us to the present.

2017-18 was Derozan’s last season with the Raptors. Since then, he has spent three seasons with the Spurs (which led to Toronto winning the championship a year later), three seasons with the Bulls, and two with the Kings. A season like his in 2022, when DeRozan was an All-Star and on the All-NBA second team, shows that he can still be a solid piece on a good team.

A team like the Houston Rockets, which can only benefit from an increase in veteran leadership, could utilize that scoring, and the depth DeRozan would bring to Houston. With open roster spots that are aimed at beefing up the second unit, this feels like a “make now” move.

DeRozan’s sample size shows his impact.

Looking at DeRozan’s last game against Houston, his stat line in 24 minutes of play consisted of 15 points and 7 assists. While this isn’t groundbreaking by NBA standards, putting up numbers like that could be a huge benefit for Houston, especially seeing how they struggled with keeping up with the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

Overall, despite being in his age-36 season, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assist. If he joined Houston, he would likely have a decreased role, but he proved last season that he can still pack an offensive punch when called upon. His ability to create his own shot and act as a secondary playmaker would do wonders to elevate this Houston offense that needs an extra difference maker.

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