The Dream Shake - NBA free agency 2016: Who the Rockets could go afterThe best footwork on the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/34031/32x32.png2016-07-01T18:30:41-05:00http://www.thedreamshake.com/rss/stream/118311352016-07-01T18:30:41-05:002016-07-01T18:30:41-05:00Howard signs with the Hawks
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<p>Howard's departure official as he agrees to a deal with his hometown Hawks. </p> <p><span>Dwight Howard's</span> time with the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> was short, productive, and tumultuous. Howard excised his player option to opt out of the final year of his four-year, 87.5 million dollar contract with the Rockets, which was a clear sign that the tension-filled marriage was over. The breakup is now official as The Vertical and Shams Charania are reporting that Howard has reached an agreement on a contract:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dwight Howard has reached agreement on a three-year, $70.5 million with the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>, league sources tell The Vertical.</p>
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/749008621799772160">July 1, 2016</a>
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<p>The reported contract is $70.5 million over three years with the Hawks. The yearly salary averages out to $23.5 million per year -- slightly below what he had publicly had been asking of $24 million per year. That figure is basically the same amount money Howard would have gotten in Houston in his final season.</p>
<p>The fact that Howard didn't see a vast increase in salary as other players have seen across the league shows his value, and, two, that he wanted the future security of a three-year deal in the Eastern Conference then attempting to play for a bigger deal with a rebound year with the Rockets.</p>
<p>Howard joined the Rockets as arguably one of the top 20 players in the NBA, and left as a player that couldn't play back-to-backs, move up and down the floor effectively, still without a post game to speak off, and went on a media tour throwing teammates and coaches under the bus.</p>
<p>Howard, 30, averaged 13.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks in his final season with the Rockets.</p>
<p>The Rockets will now push all their chips into the center of the table to go after <span>Al Horford</span> in a quasi-trade of talent with the Hawks.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/7/1/12085982/former-houston-rockets-dwight-howard-atlanta-free-agencyRyan Dunsmore2016-06-30T09:00:03-05:002016-06-30T09:00:03-05:00NBA free agency 2016: Marvin Williams
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<p>Ryan Anderson will be the Rockets prime target, but Marvin Williams is better.</p> <p><span>July 1, 2016, in the NBA is a twisted lovechild Christmas Day and Black Friday. </span></p>
<p><span>After months of wishes and tweets to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> general manager Daryl Morey, about whom he should sign in the offseason, you finally get to check your Twitter feed that magical morning to see the newest guy or guys who will don the ketchup and mustard. </span></p>
<p>One of the most heavily rumored apples of Morey's eye will be longtime flirt <span>Ryan Anderson</span>. And while he will get paid this offseason, I am hoping it won't be by the Rockets.</p>
<p><span>Anderson is a good player and a guy who can stretch the floor, but he isn't much of an asset on the defensive end of the floor. He also has some injury concerns: only one time in his seven-year career has he played more than 67 games.</span></p>
<p><span>When I put on my GM hat, I am not the guy who is going to overpay for a breakdown waiting to happen. I am not going to get stuck holding the bag...er, contract in this situation.</span></p>
<p><span>The Rockets should be targeting <span>Marvin Williams</span> in free agency. </span>Williams is not as sexy of a name as Anderson but he is every bit the player, if not better and maybe cheaper. On average in the past three seasons, he is shooting 37% from three. Last year was only his first season shooting 40% from three, but he has grown on offensive considering where he was when he first came into the league with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Atlanta Hawks</a> back in 2005.</p>
<p><span>I don't like to use the label "role player" but when looking at what Williams does, he is pretty much exactly that. He is not going to command the ball and just jack up shots all over the place. He understands his job and does it well, be it following shots for an offensive rebound and a putback, hitting the open corner three or just simply creating spacing. </span></p>
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<p><span>On the defensive end, he won't be mistaken for a defensive player of the year, but he does enough not to make you question why he's on the floor. He can guard multiple positions on the wing and inside, he will get bullied by bigger posts but the league is trending smaller and smaller so that is not as big a concern.</span></p>
<p><span>When playing with <span>James Harden</span> you need guys like Williams who will just do his job — no more, no less.</span></p>
<p><span>With the Rockets wanting to play up and down basketball, Williams will fit in. On the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Charlotte Hornets</a> last year ,Williams took and made the most "spot up" shots on the team (136-328 - 41.5 percent). In Mike D'Antoni's system, there will be a whole lot of those type of shots to go around.</span></p>
<p><span>Not many players on the Rockets next year will be creating their own shots, most will be making shots that Harden has created for them. Be it a kick out from a drive to the rim or just a set play, there will be a plenty on "spot up" shots to go around.</span></p>
<p><span>Williams wouldn't be the Houston Rockets' first choice, and maybe not even their second choice. But if you strike out on the top options, you won't find a better stretch four than Williams.</span></p>
<p><span>Anderson is far and away going to be the Rockets first choice, I think, but when you break down the two players, not much else separates the two.</span></p>
<p><span>For years, the Rockets have needed a power forward. Hell, it seems every year they draft at least one in the hopes that they will hit the jackpot. They haven't, so this has to be the year that they finally pony up the cash to pay for one. </span></p>
<p>If the Rockets are going to back up a Brinks truck to a power forward this year, give it to a guy who you can count on for 70 plus games a year. Give it to a guy who isn't absolutely awful on the defensive end of the floor. Give it to a guy who has gotten better year in and year out. Give it to a guy who can be a missing piece on a playoff contender. Give it to Marvin Williams.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/30/12061034/marvin-williams-the-free-agent-the-rockets-should-be-chasingJosh Reese2016-06-29T12:54:34-05:002016-06-29T12:54:34-05:00NBA free agency 2016: Pau Gasol
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<p>Our free agency previews continue with a player who was almost a Rocket once before. Might Houston get a second chance?</p> <p>Yes, that's right, the<a href="http://clippers.topbuzz.com/modules/PNphpBB2/upload-pics/clippers/1977_look_alikes_13_1.jpg"> llama himself </a>is set to be an unrestricted free agent. And with the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> publicly stating their <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/23321/bulls-gm-says-rebuilding-team-must-get-younger-more-athletic">desire to get younger and more athletic,</a> the forward/center is not likely heading back to Chi-town.</p>
<p>If you recall, back in 2011, Gasol was set to become a Rocket as part of a three-way deal also involving the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> and the <a href="https://www.atthehive.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a>. The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> would get Gasol, the Hornets would pick up <span>Luis Scola</span>, <span>Kevin Martin</span>, <span>Goran Dragic</span> and <span>Lamar Odom</span>, while the Lakers would get prized point guard <span>Chris Paul</span>.</p>
<p>The trade was famously nixed by then-commissioner David Stern, and the rest is history. Paul would end up in Hollywood anyway with the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>, Gasol would later make his way to Chicago, the Rockets would dump Scola, Martin and Dragic along the way, and Lamar Odom-- well, let's just say things didn't really go uphill for him from there.</p>
<p>But with the Rockets in search of a big man and Gasol available, might we see him end up in H-town anyway? Even approaching age 36, the 7-footer from Spain can still play.</p>
<p>Gasol played in 16th NBA season last year, and his numbers were as good as ever. He finished the year averaging 16.5 points per game and shot 46.9 percent from the field. His 11.0 rebounds per game was the third highest of his career. His 4.1 assists were his second highest. His blocks? 2.0 per game and the highest average of his career. There's a cliche' about fine wine I'm hesitant to use, but the phrase is made for guys like Gasol.</p>
<p>Despite his advanced age, Gasol even showed he was still a capable defender, racking up a +3.5 defensive plus-minus on the year, the single-highest defensive total of his career. He was also a positive offensive player (+0.5), had a 3.5 value over replacement (VORP), his best in 5 years, built up 7.1 win shares and finished with a PER of 21.7. The advanced metrics indeed matched the sparkling box line.</p>
<p>He's also a guy who's always relied more on skill than on pure athleticism, which explains how he's maintained such a high-level of play into his mid-30s and also lends credence to the thought that he has a couple more seasons left in the tank.</p>
<p>After the failed trade of 2011, Gasol made it clear that while he was happy he didn't get moved, it had nothing to do with the Rockets organization or city of Houston, it was only because the Rockets were still in the process of rebuilding and not considered a contender at the time of the move. Gasol told <a href="http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2012/01/pau-gasol-relieved-he-didnt-get-traded-to-houston-rockets.html">the L.A. Times:</a></p>
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<p>"It was going to be kind of a rebuilding situation. You'd try to be competitive. It wasn't so much about the franchise or the city. It was just about the situation and how different it would have been from what I'm used to."</p>
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<p>With Houston only one year removed from the Western Conference Finals and one of the best players in the NBA on their roster in <span>James Harden</span>, the Rockets could be ripe for a quick turnaround from this past year's disappointment, making their situation significantly more enticing than it was five years ago.</p>
<p>This isn't a layup move, however. Gasol will be in demand.</p>
<p>Most noticeably, the <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> are apparently targeting Pau as one of their priority free agents as soon as July 1 hits. Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a Woj-bomb on his recent <a href="http://art19.com/shows/vertical-chris-mannix">The Vertical podcast with Chris Mannix</a>, saying:</p>
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<p>"I'm told that Paul Gasol is a real priority for them. They tried to get him before he signed with Chicago. The Bulls were able to offer him more than the mid-level that year, and I think the Spurs had a mid-level for him that year. They can maneuver in San Antonio and probably be able to offer him market value."</p>
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<p>In addition, Gasol doesn't have the greatest history with new Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni. D'Antoni coached Pau with the Lakers, and their relationship was tenuous at best. D'Antoni benched Gasol at one point in favor of a small-ball lineup, and the <a href="http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10523800/mike-dantoni-los-angeles-lakers-fires-back-pau-gasol-keep-house">coach and player fired public shots at each other in the media</a> during the season. Gasol blamed D'Antoni's system for some mid-season struggles, while the coach accused Gasol of not giving 100 percent.</p>
<p>The last thing Houston needs is another disgruntled big man, and with the wide range of options Gasol is expected to have, the likelihood he'd pick going back to play for D'Antoni does seem very low.</p>
<p>There's also the aforementioned age factor. When big man slip, they often fall off of a cliff. Quickly. Especially post-35. Gasol played extremely well last year, but who knows how much longer that can last. Could this be the year he finally shows his age?</p>
<p>So while <span>Gasol's</span> skills and strengths would seem to be a fit for the Rockets' needs and he likely won't be asking for a king's ransom (Gasol averaged $7.5 million per season while in Chicago) and getting a top-flight big under contract in Houston is one of Daryl Morey's main offseason goals for improving the team, Gasol's past troubles with D'Antoni and the interest of other top franchises in the Association will likely keep him from joining the team that traded for him in 2011.</p>
<p>The search for a frontcourt piece in H-town continues.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/29/12059794/nba-free-agency-2016-pau-gasol-fits-a-need-but-dantoni-likely-HoustonDarren Yuvan2016-06-29T08:30:03-05:002016-06-29T08:30:03-05:00NBA free agency 2016: Jeremy Lin
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<p>Next in our free agency series is a guard we are all familiar with. The Rockets have a real shot to bring back Jeremy Lin, but should they? </p> <p>As soon as Mike D'Antoni was introduced as head coach, rumors started swirling that he gave the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a><a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/8/11885624/rockets-have-the-inside-track-for-jeremy-lin"> the inside track to signing Jeremy Lin</a> this off season. That is mainly because MDA was coaching the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> when "Linsanity" occurred, and the two have stayed in contact over the past couple of years, building a solid relationship. In the link above, we previously wrote on Lin's relationship with D'Antoni and how that could bring him back to Houston this season. The question is: should the Rockets bring Lin back? The answer is yes.</p>
<p>Now, hear me out for a second. Yes Lin isn't the sexiest name the Rockets can sign this free agency. From Kevin Durant to <span>Al Horford</span> and <span>Mike Conley</span>, there are several marquee free agents that would be significant upgrades for the Rockets. However, as we found out this past week, the Rockets aren't on Durant's list, there will be heavy competition for Horford, and Conley is most likely going to re-sign with the <a href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Grizzlies</a>. After Conley, Lin is arguably the best point guard available, since no one wants to go near the toxic Rajon Rando. The downside of the weak free agent point guard class is that Lin will be heavily coveted and may be hesitant to return to Houston.</p>
<p>Why would Lin be hesitant to reunite with Mike D'Antoni you ask? Well, many will remember the ugly breakup between the Rockets and Lin two summers ago, as the Rockets posted pictures of <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11168612/houston-rockets-dis-jeremy-lin-image-carmelo-anthony-no-7">Carmelo Anthony wearing Lin's jersey</a> in the hopes of signing him. Lin was admittedly upset with the PR campaign, and it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to look past the disrespect to come back to the Rockets.</p>
<p>Another possible reason Lin may be hesitant to come back to Houston is James Harden. The two never really built the chemistry you would want from your starting backcourt, forcing <span>Kevin McHale</span> to start Beverley over Lin in his final year with the Rockets. With that aside, let's take a look at Lin's game (which we are all familiar with) and how it could fit with the Rockets.</p>
<p>Lin is an offensive minded, attacking point guard. We all knew that already. During his season with the <a href="https://www.atthehive.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a>, Lin turned in to a go to scorer off the bench, averaging 11.7 points per game, 3 assists per game, and 3 rebounds per game. Lin had a couple explosive games last season, and showed flashes of his "Linsanity" days:</p>
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<p>Lin is a career 34.6% three point shooter, making him enough of a threat to play off the ball for stretches next to Harden. Although as I mentioned previously, Lin and Harden didn't mesh well together, I have complete confidence that unlike McHale, D'Antoni can actually run an offensive system that involves Harden and Lin in a way that suits both of their strengths. Also, if Lin is comfortable with being the go-to guy off the bench (which he may very well not be), he would be able to run D'Antoni's offense with the ball in his hands. Lin would be an excellent backup point guard and a much needed upgrade from the corpse of <span>Jason Terry</span> the Rockets have relied on the past two seasons.</p>
<p>The question and concern comes down to what kind of contract Lin is looking for. Lin recently admitted that he is looking to <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16545295/jeremy-lin-wants-exhaust-every-opportunity-free-agency">find a "home" after being on five teams in the last six years.</a> After hearing that, it seems that Lin will eschew two\- year deal with a player option in the second year — a contract experts expect to see plenty of as free agents look to re-enter the market next offseason when the cap jumps up again —for a three- to four-year deal in order to gain some job security (which, ironically, is never guaranteed under Daryl Morey).</p>
<p>With the cap jump, it wouldn't be unreasonable to find Lin commanding anywhere from $8-13 million per year. While that seems steep, Lin is only 27 and is in his basketball prime (plus, <span>Harrison Barnes</span> will most likely end up being maxed. Think about that. Barnes is essentially the <span>Jeremy Lin</span> of small forwards).</p>
<p>Yes, Jeremy Lin brings some baggage with him. His relentless fan base will torture Rockets die hards every day when Lin doesn't get enough playing time or gets chastised by James Harden. Lin is a weak defender (although he does make an effort) and Rockets fans don't have the greatest memories of Lin (see: Game 4 of the playoff series vs. the Blazers in 2014).</p>
<p>However, with Mike D'Antoni on board, Lin becomes the perfect, realistic target for the Rockets at point guard. Lin is still a big upgrade over Jason Terry, is familiar with (and likes) D'Antoni, and shouldn't be too expensive for the Rockets. Plus, he can bring <a href="https://usatsneakhype.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/jeremy-lin-hair-6.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1">a wide variety of hairstyles</a> to keep Rockets fans entertained day in and day out.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/29/12054792/nba-free-agency-2016-jeremy-lin-rocketsEric Spyropoulos2016-06-28T12:22:51-05:002016-06-28T12:22:51-05:00NBA free agency 2016: Al Horford
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<p>We kick off our series discussing NBA free agency. This series will include both players we'd like to see the Rockets go after and also the players who they are most likely to obtain. Up first is the big man from Atlanta.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> now need a big man, <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/24/12015874/what-the-rockets-frontcourt-looks-like-without-dwight-howard">that's no secret.</a> They nabbed <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/24/12022748/rockets-nba-draft-reaction-grades">two young ones</a> in last week's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA draft</a>, and while both are talented players who could contribute down the line, it's asking a lot of the 19-year-old <span>Chinanu Onuaku</span> and 20-year-old <span>Zhou Qi</span> to step in and get serious run right away.</p>
<p>Both are young, inexperienced and have some development ahead of them before they're ready to pitch in on a team looking to reload for a playoff spot. The 6'9" Onuaku has been touted for his defensive ability and the 7'2" Qi for his shot-blocking potential, but remember, there's a reason both of these guys fell into the second round. And second round picks have a historically terrible record for blossoming into starters.</p>
<p>There are exceptions, certainly, but overall, 94 percent of second-round picks fail to average over 25 minutes in the NBA in their careers. It's not a particularly reassuring fact, even if we can see the the possible upside of both players.</p>
<p>The Rockets then, are going to need to go hunting in free agency or trade if they hope to snag another piece to beef up their frontcourt, and <span>Al Horford</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> looks like a quintessential fit in Houston and under new head coach Mike D'Antoni.</p>
<p>Horford is a 6'10" do-it-all center who could thrive in a front line next to just about any other Rocket, and his ability to play both inside and out would make him an ideal compliment in a James Harden-led offense. Horford averaged 15.2 points per game last year for the Hawks and continued to prove his versatility by shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. Both numbers are on par with Horford's career percentages.</p>
<p>Oh, and for good measure, he can also hit his free throws, something that would elicit a huge sigh of relief in H-town. Horford is a 74.3 percent free throw shooter, something the Rockets haven't really had at the five since Yao Ming and his career 83.3 percent free throw shooting last hobbled off the court.</p>
<p>Horford's a solid shot blocker, averaging 1.2 for his career and is coming off a career-best 1.5 per game last season, and he's regarded as very good overall defender, garnering a positive defensive-plus minus in every year he's been in the Association.</p>
<p>He's also put up a positive offensive plus-minus in every year but his rookie season, and he's a fantastic and willing pick-and-roll man. Horford was fourth in the NBA with 301 roll possessions, he averaged 1.13 points per possession off the roll, and his pick-and-roll shooting percentage of 54.2 percent was higher than any other player in the top 10 of roll attempts, beating out adept roll men <span>Anthony Davis</span>, <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, <span>Karl-Anthony Towns</span>, <span>Serge Ibaka</span>, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> and <span>Paul Millsap</span>.</p>
<p>The only area Horford struggles a bit is with his rebounding, as he's only averaged double-digit boards once in his career and snags 8.9 for a total average.</p>
<p>But despite the-less-than perfect work on the boards, Horford's range, shooting and effectiveness on the pick-and-roll looks like every Rockets fan's dream in the upcoming new Houston offense. And to top it off, the Rockets have long mentioned Horford as one of their primary targets in the offseason, with one source even calling him <a href="http://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/5/24/11760842/a-closer-look-at-the-al-horford-to-the-rockets-rumors?_ga=1.237779072.1033574973.1460754298">Daryl Morey's "top-line target."</a></p>
<p>The Rockets also have over $40 million to spend in free agency and<a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-plunge-into-free-agency-with-open-mind-8325581.php"> may have as much as $46 million</a> depending on how things shake out, so they have the cheddar to offer Big Al one heck of a big deal. It would, on the surface, appear to be a slam dunk in fit.</p>
<p>One problem, however.</p>
<p>It appears, at least for now, that Horford remains the top priority in Atlanta as well. And the Hawks hold an advantage in that they can offer him a <a href="http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/242441/Al-Horford-To-Receive-Interest-From-Lakers-Rockets-Magic-Pistons-Wizards-Celtics-Nets">fifth season and additional cash</a> above what any of the other suitors can. The Rockets' cap room may not matter with the Hawks' ability to offer more. And this is likely the 30-year-old Horford's last major deal. That little extra matters.</p>
<p>The Rockets are also dealing with a plethora of outside suitors as well. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> are all also said to be interested and have buckets of cash to spend just like the Rockets. This will certainly be an uphill battle for Houston.</p>
<p>For now, though, the Rockets are still said to be in the middle of a hot pursuit.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">According to a source the Houston Rockets are looking at the following high-level free agents: Al Horford, Kevin... <a href="https://t.co/OIKqMBYL1Z">https://t.co/OIKqMBYL1Z</a></p>
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/747519338417029120">June 27, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>But with the market set to be fast and heavy due to the influx of cash, don't expect the team to linger any longer than they have to if they don't sense an "in." This is one of the most important offseasons in years for the Rockets, and they'll be in "upgrade at all costs" mode.</p>
<p>Horford may be a fantastic fit, but Houston will have to beat out a long list of other teams with both cash and opportunity to make it happen.</p>
https://www.thedreamshake.com/2016/6/28/12051902/nba-free-agency-2016-al-horford-is-a-perfect-fit-in-houston-but-theDarren Yuvan