6 Free agents who should be on Rockets' wish list

1. Nic Claxton

Nic Claxton is one of the best defensive bigs in the league, as he makes life miserable for opponents. Scratch that, Claxton is one of the best defenders in the league, irrespective of position. 

Sure, the Brooklyn Nets haven't been a good team this season, but his defensive impact has been felt. Claxton's lateral mobility allows him to successfully defend any position on the court, and he has the length to alter shots, as he's 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan.

Unsurprisingly, he's averaged 2.1 blocks this season and 2.5 blocks last season.

All told, Claxton's range and aforementioned lateral quickness make him one of the more switchable defenders in the league. Every team could use that, especially the Rockets. 

But his value doesn't just lie on the defensive end. He applies pressure on the glass and is a hell of a lob threat. And he's also perfect in the screen-and-roll game and alongside true facilitators, like Fred VanVleet and Amen Thompson.

Claxton's market will be robust, so the Rockets will have to pony up to pay him, but he'd be worth every penny. And he's played under Ime Udoka before, so he knows exactly what would be expected of him and already has a familiarity with him.