The NBA’s 2023 free agency window officially opens on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Central, and it might not take long for agreements to roll in.
For the Houston Rockets, who have a league-leading figure of more than $60 million in financial space beneath the salary cap, there’s an incentive to work quickly. If they can’t get a top target, they need to move on to secondary ones before those potentially sign elsewhere.
So, who will general manager Rafael Stone target once negotiations can officially begin on Friday afternoon? According to veteran NBA scribe Marc Stein, rival NBA teams are expecting Toronto guard Fred VanVleet and Memphis wing Dillon Brooks to both sign with the Rockets in the hours after free agency begins.
VanVleet will likely get a two-year offer worth a projected maximum of over $40 million per season, according to Stein, while Brooks could be on a two-year deal worth at least $14 million, annually.
As of Thursday morning, here’s where things stand.
Rival teams expect Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks to sign with Houston on Friday
New from @TheSteinLine:
“It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike verbal agreements to join the Houston Rockets by Friday night.
VanVleet is expected to receive…
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) June 29, 2023
Rockets no longer in running for James Harden
“In recent days, I’ve understood that Houston is no longer an option for James [Harden],” @KellyIko reports. “I would call them out of the running.” #Rockets https://t.co/TS5oykZOKw
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) June 28, 2023
Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura unlikely to leave current teams
Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton (of the Bucks) are the most likely of the high-dollar targets on the Rockets’ list to return to their current team.
Similarly, the Rockets have interest in the Lakers’ restricted free agents Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura, but both are likely to stick with Los Angeles.
Other free agency targets for Rockets
According to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking, the Rockets are interested in Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, Nuggets guard/forward Bruce Brown, and Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo is an unrestricted free agent the Rockets will consider.
If they are filling out their free-agent haul and have not signed one of their targeted centers, the Mavericks’ Dwight Powell would also have a place on their shopping list.
Alperen Sengun not keen on potential Brook Lopez addition?
“If I was (Alperen) Sengun, I would not be pleased if the #Rockets signed Brook Lopez. I think he would be entirely within his rights to be disappointed by that.” — @Sam_Vecenie https://t.co/8c0NSXUA7G pic.twitter.com/h7PTYJE2B2
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) June 29, 2023
Rockets a leading option for Kyle Kuzma?
Hearing a couple of things:
1. Momentum to bring Harrison Barnes back to the Kings is picking up major steam. Numbers still to be worked out.
2. Houston has emerged as the favorite to sign Kyle Kuzma.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) June 28, 2023
