4 Free agents the Houston Rockets are glad they didn't sign last summer

1. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

Unlike the other players on this list, the Rockets almost signed Lopez. They seemingly jettisoned several young players to make space for a contract they thought was already on the books. In the end, Lopez saved them from themselves.

It's not that his deal is untenable. Lopez signed a two-year, $48 million deal with the Bucks. We can't say whether he had the same arrangement with the Rockets, but if he did, that's acceptable money.

With that said, Alperen Sengun doesn't have his breakout 2023-24 season if Lopez is on the roster. You may have feelings about whether a rim-protecting, floor-spacing big man like Lopez is easier to build around than a player like Sengun.

Fair enough. You still can't deny this: it's better to have a young, breakout star on your team. The Rockets missed on Lopez, and that allowed Sengun the necessary space to take his star turn.

Sometimes, your best investment comes from the money you didn't spend.