10 Worst free agent signings in Rockets history

Time and time again it's been proven that free agency is no sure fire way of improving the roster. Regardless of the circumstances, there are simply no certainties.

Adding free agents, much like trading for players and especially utilizing the draft as a means of adding talent, is a risky proposition. It always seems great in the offseason and/or at the time of the transaction, but once the games start being played....well, that's when we really see if a move was a good one or not.

The Houston Rockets have certainly had their misses, which is to be expected with a franchise that's been around for 56 years. The consequences of striking out vary from person to person, however the risk becomes greater the higher the price tag, as it can limit and hinder the ability to add other pieces, due to the salary cap. 

Without further ado, let's dive into the worst free agent signings by the Rockets throughout their franchise's history. 

10. Daniel Theis

After being the Rockets' prized free agent signing in 2021, Daniel Theis was inked to a four-year, $36 million contract. The fit was never there with Theis, as his presence led to spacing issues, especially for Jalen Green.

This led to him logging DNPs, which he handled with class. It was believed that Theis' reputation as a formidable defender would be a perfect match alongside Christian Wood, who had been pushed around in the post on the defensive end of the floor.

Theis averaged 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds on the season in 22.5 minutes per game, starting 21 of 26 games with the Rockets. Rockets GM Rafael Stone lauded Theis as a "versatile center who impacts both ends of the floor", which wasn't seen, as the Rockets went 1-16 immediately after signing him.

Theis was the Rockets' best defender, which wasn't exactly saying much, as that iteration of the Rockets wasn't exactly known for getting stops. The Rockets ended the Theis experiment after just 26 games, sending him back to the Boston Celtics, in exchange for Dennis Schroder, Bruno Fernando, and Enes Freedom, as the latter was subsequently released.