The Houston Rockets have the most money available in 2023 NBA free agency, and a new report claims they could use a sizable chunk of it on giving the best center on the market a massive deal.
NBA free agency kicked off on Friday night and there have already been a slew of massive contracts given out. All-Star players like Draymond Green, Kyrie Irving, and Khris Middleton are some of the many players that agreed to deals with teams. However, of the notable agreements made, the Houston Rockets have not been a part of any of them.
Related: Top 2023 NBA free agents – Best 100 available with positional breakdowns
Despite the assets to be the biggest influencers in the market, the Houston Rockets were quiet after the first couple of hours of free agency. Eventually, the lack of noise from the team should end and it could be in a major pact with who many consider the best center up for grabs in this year’s free-agent class.
Houston Rockets pondering 2-year, $40 million offer for Brook Lopez
Milwaukee Bucks starter Brook Lopez is one of the top centers on this year’s market and he has been linked to the Houston Rockets as a possible target this week. While recent reports have suggested the Bucks feel confident about the man that helped them win a title a few years ago, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer suggested Houston could make Lopez an offer he can’t refuse.
“Brook Lopez’s free agent decision is definitely one of the larger dominoes free agents and teams are waiting to learn. There was increasing word today that Houston’s offer could even exceed the two-year, $40 million figure that’s been widely rumored in recent days.”
– Jake Fischer
There were reports last week that the team could make a similar two-year, but $80 million offer to Toronto Raptors star Fred VanVleet this week. The theory being if the Houston Rockets have difficulty persuading some free agents, a shorter but far bigger annual pay rate could be enough to sway certain players.
- Brook Lopez stats (’22-’23): 15.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 APG, 37% 3PT
The contract would be a huge pay raise for the 35-year-old, who made no more than $13 million a season during his four-year run with the Bucks.