Rockets may have found their perfect depth solution in former lottery-level talent

As a first apron team, the Houston Rockets can't afford to make any major moves. That's why Dariq Whitehead could be a perfect target.

The Nets just waived Whitehead. That raises an obvious question: If the Nets didn't want him, why should the Rockets?

Well, one team's waiver is another team's rotational guard. Whitehead isn't a can't-miss proposition. If he were, he'd be out of the Rockets' price range:

As it stands, there's a good reason why he's on the market.

Potential Rockets target has struggled in the NBA

Let's not mince words. Whitehead's NBA career has been an abject disaster so far.

There's no softer way to put it. The advanced stats from Whitehead's 2023-24 rookie season are eye-popping in the worst way. They're also entirely moot, as Whitehead managed just 2 games before suffering an injury.

Last year, there was an improvement in the health department - but that's not saying much. Whitehead played 20 games. What did he manage to do in those contests?

Well, he showed signs of life. Whitehead scored 17.3 points per 75 possessions while shooting 44.6% on 3.7 three-point attempts per game. It's a limited sample, but Whitehead demonstrated one thing:

There's a reason why he was once viewed as a potential lottery pick.

Potential Rockets target was lauded as a prospect

That's right. At one time, Dariq Whitehead was supposed to be a high lottery pick.

His college stats won't wow you either. Whitehead averaged 8.3 points per game for Duke in 2022-23. That's fine. Any college team has a system, and talented players sometimes have to fit in. Whitehead was a 3-and-D wing for the Bluedevils.

That was part of his appeal. Whitehead looked the part of a Paul George-esque 3-and-D who could create shots as well. There was a lot of buzz about him as a prospect:

But the injury bug visited him early.

Ultimately, Whithead slipped to 22nd in the draft. After two injury-plagued seasons, he's been waived by the Nets. Now, his NBA career is on life support:

The Rockets should consider coming to the rescue.

Whitehead could be a buy-low candidate for the Rockets

It's an incredibly long shot. Whitehead's NBA outlook is undeniably bleak.

Here's the deal: If the Rockets sign him, and it doesn't work out, they'll have lost very little. By contrast, if he does pan out, they could gain a lot. It's a low-risk, high-reward signing.

Whitehead also fits Houston's philosophy. They'd use him as a 2, where he'd have solid size at 6'5". Whitehead (in theory) also has more shot-creating chops than Josh Okogie. He's got better guard skills, which the Rockets sorely lack:

And they don't otherwise have the means to add talent.