Ranking the 4 worst Rockets starters of the James Harden era

3. Ryan Anderson

Following the free agent acquisition of Ryan Anderson, the Rockets appeared to be wildly overpaying. 

 Ryno and the Rockets agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million, as Anderson made $20 million annually and about double his worth. And Anderson wouldn't have received the contract were it not for a major salary cap spike. 

For this reason, a letdown was bound to happen. 

Granted, Anderson’s initial play was solid on the surface. 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds aren't bad numbers on the surface, but they don't tell the full story.

Anderson was a traffic cone on the defensive end (he's always been) and he was expected to provide more than he was able to contribute.

And 14 and 5 isn't worth...you can fill in the rest of the sentence. 

Anderson was demoted by Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni by the second year of his deal, in favor of P.J. Tucker, who is much better on the defensive end.

The Rockets had to give up De'Anthony Melton- a young, promising prospect just to offload Anderson.