5 Veterans the Rockets should target to help the core develop 

Veteran #4 Monte Morris 

Monte Morris is one of the steadiest backup point guards in the NBA and is the Hydrox to Tyus Jones’ Oreo. For his career, he has averaged 10.5 points on 39.3% 3-point shooting, 3.8 assists, and 0.8 turnovers in 25.3 minutes per game. Morris also showed last season that he can run against starters, which should squash any concerns about how he will hold up against starting-caliber units. 

The only real concern for the Rockets is how much it will cost to get him. Morris is under contract for under $10 million per season for this season and next. He’s the Wizards starting point guard, and they’re an organization that is perfectly comfortable gunning for the eighth seed year after year. 

However, the Wizards have $146 million in salary commitments for next season if all options are exercised. Unfortunately, both Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma have player options that they are unlikely to exercise. Porzingis’ option is for $36 million, and Kuzma’s is for $13 million. If they both get raises, with Kuzma looking in line for a significant raise, then Morris could become a cap casualty. 

The Rockets should also monitor the situation if the Wizards fall out of the playoff picture and finally decide to enter a proper rebuild. Morris is only 27 and has experience starting and coming off the bench, making him a great long-term piece as the Rockets hope to push for contention in the future.  

Next: Veteran #3