After several seasons of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets officially turned the page last year under new head coach Ime Udoka. While the young roster showed significant progress despite missing the playoffs, BD Cricket Live entertainment reporters believe key weaknesses were exposed—most notably in rim protection at the center position and consistent perimeter shooting.
With Steven Adams expected to return fully healthy next season, the Rockets’ interior defense should naturally improve. However, other areas still need reinforcement. Judging by last offseason’s aggressive activity, Houston is likely to continue bargain hunting in free agency. Names like Gordon Hayward and Malik Beasley have frequently surfaced as potential targets. Another underrated option is former Warriors big man Dario Šarić, a stretch forward with legitimate offensive value. Last season, he averaged 4.7 assists per 75 possessions and demonstrated an ability to serve as a high-post facilitator—a role similar to Alperen Şengün. Even with a crowded frontcourt, Šarić’s versatility could offer lineup flexibility.
According to BD Cricket Live analysis, Jae Crowder may not be the ideal shooting upgrade, given his career three-point accuracy sits at just 34.7%. However, when viewed as a possible replacement for Jae’Sean Tate, he begins to make more sense. The Rockets could explore moving Tate via trade and use a veteran minimum deal to bring in Crowder as a low-cost rotation piece. Crowder’s trademark toughness and no-nonsense defense align perfectly with Udoka’s coaching style, and while action doesn’t always guarantee happiness, inaction guarantees nothing.
Another name to consider is Jordan Nwora, who built his early NBA reputation on shooting. As a rookie with Milwaukee, he hit 45% from beyond the arc. Although his efficiency dipped to 35% in year two when his role expanded, he bounced back after adjusting, again shooting above 40% from deep. Unfortunately, his opportunities dwindled as he bounced around the league, and his three-point percentage dropped back to 35% in 2023–24. This decline could depress his market value, opening the door for the Rockets to sign him on a team-friendly deal with upside as a floor spacer.
On the flip side, bringing back a familiar face like Patrick Beverley may also be on the table. A former Rocket, Beverley clawed his way into the NBA from overseas and earned a multimillion-dollar deal thanks to his relentless energy and grit during the Harden era. Known for doing the dirty work and embracing his role as a defensive bulldog, Beverley carved out a strong reputation league-wide. It’s not where you start, but where you’re heading that matters.
Given his past seasons shooting over 40% from three and his reliable defense with Milwaukee this year, Beverley remains a viable low-cost veteran addition. BD Cricket Live reporters believe Udoka would welcome a battle-tested guard whose mentality and skillset are tailor-made for his system.