The Rockets are in strong pursuit of Celtics assistant coach Aaron Miles, who worked under Ime Udoka until he was suspended by Boston before the 2022/23 season started, Kelly Iko reports in his latest mailbag for The Athletic. Sources tell Iko that Udoka, who was hired by Houston after the team declined its option on Stephen Silas‘ contract, is also looking for a non-Celtics assistant to join his staff.
Iko’s reporting came in the context of a reader asking about how adding multiple assistants might impact current Rockets assistants John Lucas II and Mahmoud Abdelfattah. Lucas has been running pre-draft workouts for the team, which seems like a strong sign he’ll be sticking around, whether it’s as an assistant or in some other capacity. As for Abdelfattah, Iko says the assistant coach has drawn “legitimate interest” from rival teams, and suggests he might have a new job if Udoka hires both targets he’s pursuing.
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- They plan to be aggressive in signing veteran free agents with their projected $60MM+ in cap room. Houston is emphasizing a lead ball-handler first, with James Harden their top target, according to multiple reporters. But what happens if he stays with Philadelphia? According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has “often been linked” to the Rockets as a fall-back option.
- Beyond a point guard, the Rockets are looking for help on the wing and in the middle, sources tell Fischer. They have been connected to Khris Middleton, but that seems unlikely now, as rivals believe he’ll stay with the Bucks. However, sources tell Fischer the Rockets are interested in his teammate, center Brook Lopez, who is set for unrestricted free agency if he doesn’t sign an extension first. Iko reported a few weeks ago that Lopez, who was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022/23, could be among the Rockets’ targets.
- Fischer also confirms Iko’s reporting that the Rockets like forward Cameron Johnson, but hears the Nets have signaled they plan to match any “realistic” offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks is another player the Rockets like, and Fischer suggests he might be a more practical option.
Would you prefer Max Struss and Gabe Vincent or FVV ?
My view is that the former is better because 2 strong players is always better than one. Teams like the warriors, lakers, and sixers have shown that one player is never enough if the rest of the team lacks scoring.
It’s wild how clueless all of these “journalists” are. I guess if you only source players agents hoping to leverage teams with cap space to get bigger deals for their clients then you have a lot of garbage being reported. Nothing that Stone or Ime have said or done would imply that they are going to try to over pay for past their prime players just because they have cap space. “Veteran” doesn’t mean they have to be over 30… based on the rockets moves and what they’ve actually said, look for them to target guys like gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Austin Reaves, Naz Reed, Paul Reid, etc. Guys with playoff experience with good per 36 numbers that can be had on reasonable deals with the chance to outperform what they are signed for, and can compliment the current roster. They are not big game hunting just to try to be good enough to lose the play in game for the next couple of years. The national media has painted this wild picture that the rockets are a clown organization who have no clue what they are doing, yet there’s nothing that actually supports it. The “next phase” of the rebuild simply means they have a new coach, higher expectations, and for the first time in 3 off seasons, cap space to sign free agents. This team was competing for a championship for 5 straight seasons before harden forced his way out. They had an “all in” roster that they had to break down and then try to retool on the fly. This is their 3rd draft/off-season in this rebuild so to act like they’re a garbage organization because they haven’t been good the last couple of years is ignorant. No team that is forced to blow up a championship roster half way through a season and completely rebuild is a playoff team again 3 seasons. Most teams rebuild for years before even sniffing success. Thank you for reading my rant.
Want a PG Rockets ?????
Then trade up for Scoot. Hornets will take Miller. Overpay, you want one go get him. He is for sure an all star PG.
FVV, Green, Porter, and Smith. Lots of rebounding opportunities with that roster
So according to reports, Rockets are looking to gain Harden, Middleton and Lopez (34,32&35 when the season begins).
C’mon guys. The current roster has a collective age over 10 years younger than these guys. Even if the “speed up” is on for the rebuild. There’s no way any FO is dumb enough to go for 2 ball dominant players one of which is made of glass at the expense of a developing young pair in Sengun and Green. It’s more likely they push for a AS level player 28 or under. Or they fill the salary books with vet role players to improve the overall team.
Hardens team shouts Houston from the rooftops and the media assumes the organisation is dumb enough to decimate one of the best young cores for 1 or 2 years of 1st or 2nd round exits. It’s even worse when they start saying S&T, even if Harden is pushing to come back. Stone is not dumb enough to do a S&T to give harden that tiny bit more money and give up any assets in the process, Hardens next contract will be a terrible contract in a year or two. If they make the mistake of bringing him back it will be at the expense of Philly getting nothing in return except freedom from the worst contract in the league.
Aaron Miles? What’s an infielder from the 00’s know about coaching basketball?
“The Rockets are looking for help on the wing and in the middle, sources tell Fischer.”
Call Connolly with the Timberpuppies about: Gobert, Conley & KAT. He’s already proved his ineptness with his payout in the Gobert trade.
Strike before he comes to his senses.
John Lucas, Jr…
He was one of the college kids amongst all the current nba pros and free agents in the practice gym at Gund Arena that day (May/2002) we had an 11th grade kid from Akron in to take part in a workout/pickup games. Got fined $150k for that kid’s participation – the best participant in the building…
at 16.
Lucas had brought one of his Baylor teammates to come work out that week. About a year later that teammate got his head cut off by another teammate.
Just reminiscing.
Kid from Akron wasn’t bad.
Harden would be a mistake. Bad mistake.
Terrible mistake …… stop it already
Cam is not leaving Bklyn. They didn’t give up KD to watch him walk. Plus he’s a great fit with Brooklyn Bridges. Nets need a 4. Even if Ben comes back. It’s crazy to me. I’ve always seen Ben as a Hybrid 3-4. He would be perfect at the 4 for this team. If only ??
Middleton is not leaving and Bucks are not letting him walk. Bucks have to run it back.
Lopez is the one who could leave. Rockets could offer more money. He fills a big need. And is a solid teammate and citizen. I could see this happening. He would be a good mentor for Smith and Sengun.
Also with all their picks. Rockets could use the 20th pick plus. To move up to take Lively. Who Brook can also Mentor. Lively has been moving up the board. He would be a great piece for this young team. With Brook there (35). He could take his time and develop right. It’s something I would strongly consider.
Have you seen the Rockets in the past few years ? Kardashian coaching changes, inmates running the asylum, an owner doing anything to be on tv, including walking on the graves of Lewis and Hoffheinz- yeah, this is the environment that screams the need for the Return of the Beard.
and sign D. Brooks, and maybe sign Dwight Howard, and maybe a bearded lady