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Takeaways: Rockets acquiring Dillon Brooks to bolster wing defense

ben dubose
·6 min read
30

The Houston Rockets are boosting their wing defense with the addition of Memphis’ Dillon Brooks, though it isn’t yet clear if the free agency acquisition will come as a signing or as a sign-and-trade.

A 6-foot-6, 27-year-old wing, Brooks has averaged 14.5 points (34.2% on 3-pointers) in 28.7 minutes over six seasons with the Grizzlies. His primary value would seem to come as a tough, hard-nosed defender with considerable defensive versatility, though it’s possible his shooting numbers could improve if new Rockets head coach Ime Udoka can work to help improve Brooks’ shot selection.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reports:

The Houston Rockets are nearing a deal with Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks, league sources told The Athletic on Saturday. Houston has been lining up trades around the league and could turn Brooks’ deal into a sign-and-trade with Memphis.

The contract is for four years and $80 million, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and its annual salaries will descend by the year. There are no player or team options, The Athletic reports.

It isn’t yet known what the terms of a sign-and-trade would be, though it could potentially allow the Rockets to save more of their financial room beneath the NBA’s 2023-24 salary cap for another addition. After missing out on Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, general manager Rafael Stone and the Rockets are working to find another veteran to potentially fill that role as a defensive minded big man.

If, hypothetically, the Rockets were to trade away a salaried player such as Jae’Sean Tate ($6.5 million) in a deal for Brooks, that could allow that money to be re-allocated for a big man.

So, for now, here’s a look at immediate reaction and key takeaways related to Houston’s deal with Brooks. It should be noted that while Brooks certainly brings a high level of grit and defensive tenacity, that has occasionally led to some controversial antics in recent years — such as his back-and-forth with LeBron James in the 2023 playoffs.

From the perspective of the Rockets, that’s something they hope leadership and guidance from Udoka can help to minimize.

Dillon Brooks, Rockets deal reaction

 

 

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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire