The Houston Rockets struggled through a disastrous 2015-16 season, earning just the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors. Despite their struggles, Houston is still in "win-now" mode - and desire has them looking to free agency to add another key player or two. So who will they target? Here are the four most likely players:
4) Kent Bazemore
Bazemore has become a totally different player in Atlanta, developing into a true 3-and-D player. Houston loves those kind of players, and he'd be a high-energy guy that would give the Rockets valuable minutes off the bench.
3) Nicolas Batum
Trevor Ariza was inconsistent this season, Batum would be an upgrade in the starting lineup, allowing Ariza to move into a sixth man role. An unselfish playmaker that would have no problems deferring to James Harden, Batum is also an excellent defender and a very good three-point shooter.
2) Ryan Anderson
Anderson is your prototypical stretch four and would finally give Houston a reliable answer at the position. A knockdown shooter, he has made 37.7 percent of his career three-pointers and averaged 17 points per game. The Rockets need another offensive weapon like him who won't clog the paint.
1) Hassan Whiteside
Hassan Whiteside should be the top priority for the Rockets. Still just 26 and improving everyday, the late-blooming Heat star offers more upset that arguably any other player in the free-agent pool. While he needs a strong locker room around him, the strides he has taken in his first full year in the league (14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.7 blocks per game) are enough to make any NBA GM salivate.
Plus, with Dwight Howard expected to jump ship this offseason, Whiteside would slide right in and be the rim protector Howard was supposed to be for this team.
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