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.
Trevor Ariza
The 33-year-old small forward / shooting guard is currently a free agent after spending the 2018-19 season with both the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards.
Ariza told NBC Sports Washington in February that he hopes to stay with the Wizards “long-term.”
But, Ariza has a history with the Rockets, and just because he said that in February doesn’t mean things aren’t different in May — especially because of his successful history in Houston.
After a brief stint in 2009 with the R\ockets, Ariza returned in July 2014 and was with the team until the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.
Ariza was instrumental in the Rockets’ successful 2017-18 season in which they won 65 games, and he was a top reason why the team pushed the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.
Most importantly, Ariza is known as being a tough but good leader in the locker room. If the Rockets want to get back to how they were two seasons ago, threatening the Warriors, to get him back in that locker room would be ideal.
And of course, on the court, Ariza is a threatening shooter who has a strong ability to open up the floor. That ability of floor spacing fits perfectly with head coach Mike D’Antoni’s style — this is especially complimentary of James Harden and his ability to draw in defenders — and having him out there to shoot the ball would only add to the Rockets’ arsenal of good shooters.
Last season, he averaged well above his career high in points (12.5), rebounds (5.4) and assists (3.7) per game. From the floor, he shoots an average of 42.2 percent and from three-point range, he shoots 35.1 percent.
Ariza is also fantastic at defense.
During the 2018 playoffs, Ariza was able to use his long and strong body to disrupt the Warriors usually successful pick-and-rolls, and also helped to push Golden State further and further from the arc. Ariza’s keen ability to defend point guards — i.e. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson — is something the Rockets really missed in this year’s playoffs.
Last season, Ariza’s salary was $15 million. Can they make it work this coming season? Do you hope Ariza returns to Houston?
