Rockets are on the verge of an Ime Udoka reunion, but not the one you expect

The Rockets were initially rumored to have interest in a trade for Jaylen Brown, one of Ime Udoka's former players from his Celtics tenure, but that has seemingly evaporated now. However, another former Celtic may have entered Houston's crosshairs as Marcus Smart contemplates his player option for next season. If Smart chooses to enter free agency, he will definitely be a target for a Rockets team needing more veteran guards.

Marcus Smart would have a clear role on the Rockets

Even though Smart isn't the same player he once was under Udoka in Boston, he's still capable of filling a key role for a playoff team. The Rockets found that out the hard way in their first-round series against the Lakers, when Smart wrecked havoc on the inexperienced Rockets as an on-ball defender. He averaged 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in that series to help limit Houston's offense and get the Lakers a series win in 6 games.

Relying on Smart in his age 32 season to play big minutes would be a big risk. In many ways, it would be a continuation of the same thinking that's landed the Rockets with the similarly-aged Fred VanVleet as their best point guard option. But Smart can be a good pickup if he's used sparingly in the right situations.

The Rockets shouldn't expect a player like Smart to log big minutes or contribute a lot on offense. Since leaving Boston, his shooting has completely fallen off a cliff - he hit just 39% of his field goals and 33% of his threes last season. Smart is a far cry from a lead ball-handler or playmaker that Houston so desperately needs.

But he has value as a hounding defender that can hit the occasional corner three. He could come in for quick bursts to give players like Amen Thompson a break from playing their usual hectic defense. Let's not forget that Smart arguably has better defensive chemistry with Udoka than anyone else, as evidenced by Smart's Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2022 under Udoka.

Smart shouldn't be a priority

That being said, the Rockets should focus on adding offensive help first and foremost this offseason. Smart adds to the team's existing strengths, but doesn't help them address key weaknesses. Even if he does decline his player option and enter free agency, the Rockets shouldn't let him drastically affect their other offseason plans.

Smart's overall value towards a deep playoff run is highly questionable at this stage in his career thanks to his poor shooting and decision-making on offense. The Rockets can't get too infatuated with him as a free agent target, even if their coach still has a soft spot for him and he recently had a good playoff series to eliminate them.

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