Rockets’ first free agency move is exactly the smart gamble they needed

In their first reported move of free agency, the Houston Rockets signed Bogdan Bogdanovic to a minimum contract for next season. This is a low-risk move that may have zero impact on the Rockets season, but there is also the potential for it to be a huge under-the-radar signing.

Bogdanovic is an excellent buy-low candidate

Bogdanovic is not expected to have a large role, but he should bring consistent shooting and veteran savvy off the bench. He is turning 34 before the start of next season and is coming off a nightmare season with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he was limited to just 23 games due to various injuries.

However, let’s not forget what an impactful player Bogdanovic is when he is healthy. Three seasons ago, he averaged 16.9 points for the Atlanta Hawks and received Sixth Man of the Year consideration. That was the final year of a five-season stretch where he averaged 15.3 points on 38.3% shooting from three.

His next two seasons were limited by injuries. Players usually do not get healthier as they enter their mid-30s in the NBA, but Bogdanovic does not have to recreate his prime for this contract to be a success. If he simply stays healthy and averages 10 points while giving the team a consistent shooter off the bench, then this signing will be a huge success.

There is minimal downside to this move

Even if Bogdanovic cannot stay on the court, or injuries are clearly limiting him when he does play, this signing will not be a failure. He signed a one-year veteran minimum contract. If he is ineffective throughout the season, then the Rockets front office will simply move on next year.

That is what makes this signing a great buy-low transaction. The downside is minimal, but the upside addresses exactly what Houston needs.

Moreover, Rafael Stone clearly wants to have a quiet offseason and give this core another year to grow together. It can be debated whether that is the right or wrong approach, but given that Stone is taking that path, this low-risk signing shows he understands what a healthy version of this core lacks: floor spacing.

Bogdanovic is not the type of move that changes the outlook of Houston’s season, but he gives the Rockets a veteran shooter with the upside to become a key contributor at almost no cost. For a team that still needs more spacing, that is exactly the kind of minor move worth making.

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