Potentially available superstar guard could be a disastrous fit for the Rockets

The Houston Rockets may need a point guard in 2025-26. The Grizzlies' Ja Morant is not the answer.

Perhaps that's a "hot take". Morant is a superstar. He's put together some statistically remarkable seasons. If he's available, some Rockets fans will inevitably want him on the team.

On a related note, he may be available. In a recent post-game interview, Morant suggested that the Grizzlies' coaching staff and players aren't especially fond of him:

That's the first of two reasons why the Rockets don't need him.

Rockets should not pursue a controversial point guard

This isn't the first time Morant has been in hot water.

There's an undeniably uncomfortable feeling when sports writers criticize players they've never met on a personal level. I don't know Ja Morant.

Still, we can all agree that he was suspended for brandishing a firearm on social media. That's a fact. There's a link to the aforementioned postgame interview in this piece as well. It can be safely concluded that Morant's personality can make life difficult for his NBA team.

As it stands, the Rockets feel harmonious. There's some noise around Tari Eason's extension, but they still feel like a unified force. It would be wise to preserve that feeling:

Besides, Morant isn't the right guy from a basketball perspective either.

Rockets are a bad fit for Morant

Morant is now in his seventh NBA season. He's shooting 15.6% on 5.3 three-point attempts per game through six games. That number should come up, but he's a career 31.3% shooter. It's a marked weakness that makes him a poor fit alongside Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.

He's not a particularly impactful defender either. Morant is a poor fit with the Rockets from a functional (he can't shoot) or philosophical (everyone has to defend) perspective.

Moreover, Morant is averaging 44.7 games per season throughout his career. He's a highly injury-prone player. Ultimately, he's just too volatile on too many levels for the Rockets to surrender assets for.

Is Morant's NBA career finished? Absolutely not. The outlook is admittedly bleak, but his immense talent and athletic advantages give him a chance to right the ship.

It shouldn't happen in Houston. Morant isn't the finishing touch on a championship roster. He's the first domino. Any team acquiring Morant should be looking to surround him with floor spacing and build around his strengths and limitations.

The Rockets are not a blank slate. They've already got a successful formula. If they decide to add a point guard this year, they need to be a plus three-point shooter at a bare minimum. That's not Morant:

So he's not the right answer for the Rockets.