4 shooters the Houston Rockets could target this summer

The NBA playoffs are about to get underway. If your team is on the outside looking in, they've got room to improve.

As a result, teams around the NBA are taking stock. They're looking at their needs, and brainstorming on how to satisfy them. The Houston Rockets are no exception.

This team had two glaring needs throughout 2023-24: shooting and rim protection. With any luck, the latter need has been met. The Rockets traded for an injured Steven Adams with hopes that he'll be healthy enough to protect the rim throughout 2024-25.

With that said, they could stand to add a shooter into the rotation. Ideally, a positionally versatile player will be available. The Rockets have a crowded rotation - they'll want someone
easy to fit into it.

Here are four shooters they might want to target this summer - whether on the trade market or via free agency.

1. Doug McDermott

McDermott should be an easy acquisition. He's an unrestricted free agent. McDermott is also aging out of his effectiveness - he should be available at a reasonable cost.

Meanwhile, he still connected on 41.0% of his three-point attempts last year. Go to McDermott's basketball reference page. We'll wait. Find us a season where he shot below league average from long range.

You'll need to turn to his 2014-15 rookie season. Otherwise, McDermott has been a knockdown shooter for the rest of his long career. Does that make him the perfect fit for Houston?

Not necessarily. The Rockets have been etching out a defensive identity under head coach Ime Udoka. McDermott is a liability on that end of the floor. The Rockets may prefer a shooting specialist who can't be exploited so easily.

2. Luke Kennard

Granted, Kennard isn't a defensive stalwart either. He's still more capable than McDermott. Kennard's stopping abilities rank somewhere between mediocre and average.

Like McDermott, Kennard has always been lethal three-point shooter. He connected on 45.0% of his triples last season, and that's in line with his 43.9% career mark.

On the other hand, we're not sure about his availability. Kennard has a team option on his contract this year. The Grizzlies may be inclined to keep their sole shooting specialist around.

Alternatively, they could have grander designs for their cap space. In that event, Kennard would hit the open market. Is there a viable trade target out there for Houston?

3. Kevin Huerter

Why would the Kings move Huerter? Sure, his 36.1% mark from distance last year was down from his career 38.2% mark. He was still solid.

Moreover, Huerter is a 6'7" off-guard who can soak up minutes at the 3. Teams covet that type of plus positional size. Why would the Kings be an exception?

Well, Malik Monk is hitting free agency this summer. He's an off-guard, and he's better than Huerter. If they want to retain Monk, they may look to dump Huerter's salary.

The Rockets should be happy to provide a dumping ground.

4. Lonnie Walker IV

Everyone needs a home - even NBA players. It seems that Lonnie Walker IV is looking for a long-term NBA home.

Could the Rockets provide him with one? He'd make for an interesting fit. Walker IV is an elite run-and-jump athlete who could provide tremendous value in transition alongside Amen Thompson and Jalen Green.

More broadly, he's a player who's capable of creating his own shot and spacing the floor for others. Walker IV isn't a shooting specialist like some other players on this list, but he shoots just as efficiently. He'd add a new wrinkle to the Rockets' attack.

Unfortunately, he generally grades out as a horrendous defender. With that said, Walker IV has the physical tools to improve on that end. Perhaps Udoka could coax a career performance out of him.

If he could, the team would improve in the process.