Rockets make priorities painfully obvious with latest signing

The Houston Rockets just filled their last roster spot. They could have used it to fill some needs, but instead, they opted to double down on strengths by signing Josh Okogie. That tells us exactly where their priorities lie.

Some feel those priorities are misplaced. They'd have liked the Rockets to sign a player who can generate from-scratch offense. Even a shooter would have been preferable. The Rockets have a surplus of defensive wings. Why sign another one? Here's why:

Sometimes, it makes more sense to double down on your strengths.

Rockets make solid signing in Okogie

Let's be clear: Okogie is the 10th or 11th man on this roster.

His signing spells disaster for Jae'Sean Tate. It will be exceedingly difficult for him to get on the floor now. Okogie is similar, but he's better.

He's got a unique physical profile. Okogie is 6'4" with a 7'0" wingspan. This Rockets organization prioritizes length and defensive versatility. Signing Okogie means they'll have a surplus in those areas even in the event of an injury.

It's a justifiable decision. That doesn't mean it's an optimal one. It's hard to say with confidence that this was the best decision the Rockets could have made:

It depends on how else free agency shakes out.

Rockets may have jumped the gun on Okogie

To reiterate: This is a 10th man. The logic in signing Okogie is similar to the logic used in acquiring Clint Capela. Houston is trying to injury-proof their roster so that they can maintain philosophical cohesion all year.

That's fine, provided that nobody who satisfies their needs was available. Okogie is a good signing in a vacuum. He's not such a good signing if De'Anthony Melton was available at the same cost. Unlike Okogie, Melton can create offense. His injury-proneness is killing his value, but he'd have been worth the minimal risk of a one-year, $3.1 million deal.

The same could be said for Rockets legend Garrison Mathews. He's still a free agent despite hitting 39.0% of his threes last year. Any Rockets fan knows how difficult some of those shots invariably were. It's impressive efficiency for a player with Mathews' offensive profile.

How about Malik Beasley? Malcolm Brogdon? Quentin Grimes? If any of these guys sign a one-year, $3.1 million deal anywhere else, the Rockets may regret the Okogie signing. In the likely event that each of them go for a higher price, the team can justify spending that modest sum on a luxury piece like Okogie.

If nothing else, he makes their priorities painfully clear.