Veteran big man Daniel Theis could emerge as a target for the Houston Rockets in free agency next week, according to a story published Tuesday by Chris Fedor of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
“Sources say keep an eye on Daniel Theis to Houston this offseason,” Fedor writes. “That signing could help fill a frontcourt void.” NBA teams can begin negotiating with 2021 free agents on Monday, Aug. 2.
Known for his defense, the 6-foot-8 big man averaged 9.6 points (54.1% FG) and 5.5 rebounds in 24.6 minutes per game last season with Boston and Chicago. For his career, he’s a 33.5% shooter from behind the 3-point arc, which should be enough to provide at least some floor spacing.
Theis, who earned $5.0 million last season, is not expected to return to the Bulls, according to NBC Sports Chicago beat writer K.C. Johnson. With the Rockets likely to operate above the NBA’s salary cap, the most money they can reasonably offer the 29-year-old center — barring a sign-and-trade — is the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE), which started at approximately $9.5 million annually last season.
Financially, signing Theis wouldn’t preclude the Rockets from also re-signing veteran big man Kelly Olynyk, since Houston owns his Bird rights and could exceed the salary cap to do so. However, since both would be competing for similar frontcourt minutes, it could complicate matters.
