Even with a fully healthy team, for the fourth time in five years, the Houston Rockets’ season came to an end in the NBA playoffs thanks to the Golden State Warriors.
Heading into the offseason, the Rockets have no NBA draft picks to offer, no cap space to work with and two very heavy contracts belonging to James Harden and Chris Paul.
Yet, there is still the possibility the front office can make some moves, make some trades and snag some worthwhile free agents this summer.
RocketsWire is exploring and breaking down those free agents, and what they can offer to the team.
Marcus Morris
The Rockets 2011 first-round draft pick (14th overall) had himself quite the 2018-19 season dealing with the reality tv show that was the Boston Celtics. Throughout the course of the season, the 29-year-old forward tried to be the voice of reason in a locker room that appeared divided between Boston’s young talent and the veterans.
In spite of the mess, Morris stated at the end of the season he wanted to stay in Boston. But depending on where things go with the C’s potentially messy offseason, his time in green may be done.
On the court, Morris started off 2018-19 as well as anyone. In the 2018 portion of the C’s schedule, “Mook” shot 50.1 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from deep. His ability to stretch the floor with his big body is his calling card, but his best shot may be from 15 feet out (foul line-extended).
To go along with his locker room presence, Morris will make the hustle plays when no one else is willing to. That was more Marcus Smart’s thing with the Celtics, but when he suffered an injury, Morris stepped right into the role.
Defensively, Morris is sufficient. He can bang with some big bodies well enough and guard a slashing wing, but he’s never going to be the quickest player on the floor.
Morris only made $5.375 million last season, but if he’s going to leave Boston he may want more money. Can the Rockets make it work this coming season? Do you want to see Morris back in Houston?
