The Houston Rockets are expected to be major players in the NBA free agent market this summer and one top insider believes they will make two major splashes when teams are allowed to talk to players Friday.
There have been rumors surrounding what the Houston Rockets could do this summer for months. After growing impatient with three seasons of “rebuilding” that has led to a trio of years in the lottery, the franchise has made it a top priority to get back to the playoffs and plans to boost those aspirations by adding stars in NBA free agency.
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Since December, the organization has been linked to a reunion with Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden. However, over the last week that now seems highly unlikely. In recent days there have been rumblings that the Rockets have shifted gears away from Harden and made guard Fred VanVleet and defensive ace Dillon Brooks their top priorities on the market.
Houston Rockets seen as locks to sign Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks
Well, it seems that many around the league would be stunned if they aren’t unofficially added to the Houston Rockets roster by the end of the week. On Thursday afternoon, NBA insider Marc Stein reported in a Substack newsletter that “It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike verbal agreements to join the Houston Rockets by Friday night.”
Players can officially sign contracts with teams on July 1, however, the two sides can begin negotiations starting at 6 PM ET this Friday, June 30. This means that quite a few major talents on the NBA free agent market could be agreeing to deals well before July 1.
VanVleet is a one-time All-Star and one of the last remaining members of the Toronto Raptors title team in 2018. The Memphis Grizzlies officially ended their relationship with Brooks after a tumultuous season in 2022-2023 despite being one of their best defenders during his six seasons with the franchise.