The Houston Rockets have issues to resolve this summer after suffering another Western Conference postseason loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Athletic detailed on May 23 the brewing clash of styles within the Rockets and, the tense moments experienced between their two stars James Harden and Chris Paul. Amid the uncertainty, a discussion has formulated about Paul’s future: With three years and almost $125 million left on his deal, what would the Rockets do?
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Paul never demanded a trade from the Rockets, league sources tell The Athletic, nor would there be much of a market for one. League sources said Houston officials and Paul met after the season ended in their Game 6 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals, and both sides discussed the future. Paul informed the Rockets that if they decided to go younger and move in a different direction, he would understand and be a pro about it, according to league sources.
The Rockets let Paul know that their intent was actually the opposite, however: That they wanted to keep him and keep contending in the Western Conference. For Paul, that was all he needed to hear. He’s been committed to the cause in Houston.
The relationship between he and Harden is vital to the Rockets, and both need to continue working toward finding common ground — both need to help this roster and coaching staff get on the same page.
Paul and Harden have been communicating since the season ended and had a positive conversation on Father’s Day, sources said. According to sources close to Paul and Harden, the two players must continue working toward fixing any issues and accomplish the goals they both have set out: Winning a championship in Houston.
This is the Rockets’ fate for the foreseeable future, like it or not.
They have a window now, with Golden State suffering two devastating injuries in Kevin Durant’s Achilles tendon rupture and Klay Thompson’s torn ACL. The market has not shown to be open for Paul, even as the Rockets quietly discussed him in potential deals within the past few weeks, league sources said. Houston has also discussed center Clint Capela with teams, but as Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has said, Capela remains effective for the franchise and could re-emerge as a critical piece in the playoffs.
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For now, the Rockets’ best course of action very well seems to be standing pat, trusting Harden and Paul figure out their issues in personality and style, trusting the coaching staff becomes stable and that the roster can find a balance between ball movement and isolation.
As The Athletic reported on June 20, Houston is expected to headline several teams — including potentially the Lakers and Nets — that will pursue 76ers star free agent Jimmy Butler, according to league sources. The Rockets could pursue Butler with a sign-and-trade package around Capela and Eric Gordon. If the Rockets are unable to swing a deal for a third superstar, Capela assuredly will return next season.
It has never been this open in the Western Conference since the Warriors’ dynasty era began in 2015. The time is now for Houston.
Top free agents still in decision-making mode…
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, have taken a distant approach and haven’t given the top interested teams — the Knicks, Nets, Clippers and Warriors — any signals so far, league sources said. Durant and Kleiman are in New York, and at one point discussed potentially coming to Los Angeles for free-agent meetings, but are expected to remain stationed in New York, according to sources.
Durant has said publicly and privately that he will not be recruited to a team and will sit with his inner circle to determine his next move.
The Warriors and free-agent All-Star Klay Thompson will meet in L.A. this week at the outset of free agency, league sources said. Should the Warriors enter the meeting with the five-year, $190 million maximum contract, both sides expect a quick agreement, according to sources.
Thompson wants to remain with the Warriors, but has been open to speaking with the Los Angeles Clippers if talks break off with Golden State, sources said.
More news and notes from around the NBA …
Brooklyn Nets
Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is expected to receive interest from several teams as an unrestricted free agent — including the Suns, Timberwolves and Rockets, league sources said. Teams view Hollis-Jefferson as a versatile forward, capable of defending all five positions and providing energy in the rotation.
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Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are expected to express early interest in free-agent forward Julius Randle, league sources said. Randle is expected to receive interest from several teams, including the Knicks and Nets, according to sources. Coming off his best NBA season, Randle opted out of his $9 million deal for the 2019-20 season. He averaged 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range on 195 attempts last season.
Restricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis and the Mavericks will meet at the beginning of free agency on Sunday and there is momentum for the sides to work toward a full five-year, $158 million maximum contract, league sources said. Porzingis has spent the majority of the summer in his native Latvia, and Mavericks officials have spent time with him over the course of the offseason. For the Mavericks and Mark Cuban, the bond built with Porzingis has gone a long way, especially considering teams expected him at one point to sign the one-year qualifying offer.
Indiana Pacers
Free agent guard Cory Joseph has received interest from several teams seeking point-guard help, including Phoenix, Washington, Sacramento and Chicago, league sources said. Joseph averaged 6.6 points and 3.9 assists per game in 82 games last season and is a strong backup option for teams.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have serious interest in Nets restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell, L.A.’s former No. 2 overall pick and former starting point guard, league sources said. The Lakers’ interest in Russell is real, and has been described as something that the organization has had partly due to their familiarity with Russell. After all, they traded Russell to the Nets in 2017 before drafting Lonzo Ball. Russell has blossomed into an All-Star, a top free agent, and the Lakers would pursue him by utilizing part of the expected $24-28 million in salary cap space. His restricted status will make a potential signing interesting, considering the Nets have the right to match.
New York is seen as a potential suitor for Celtics restricted free agent Terry Rozier, league sources said. The Knicks are targeting the biggest free agents in July — such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard — but will move toward signing high-level rotation players on possible one- or two-year deals should they miss out on the top of their list. For the Knicks, signing second- or third-tier free agents to maximum contracts does not serve as an appeal to other free agents.
Philadelphia 76ers
Tobias Harris is expected to hold free-agent meetings on both the East and West coasts beginning June 30, league sources said. Harris is a priority for the 76ers — and expected to command a maximum-level contract. One team that should express interest in Harris should they miss out on Kawhi Leonard, according to league sources: The Clippers. Harris and the Clippers had a good relationship and Harris had an All-Star caliber season before the trade to the 76ers in February. Brooklyn, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Sacramento are expected to also express interest.
Utah Jazz forward/center Derrick Favors will enter the free-agency period fielding calls from interested teams as if he will be an unrestricted free agent, agent Wallace Prather told The Athletic. Favors, who has a July 6 date on his $17M contract guarantee for 2019-20, will have a robust market as a free agent with several teams pursuing big men. In 76 games last season, Favors averaged 11.8 points and 7.4 rebounds. He has been a critical part of Utah’s rise into a perennial playoff contender.
(Top Photo: Getty Images / Art by Adrian Guzman of The Athletic)