Rockets free agency was a mixed blessing

Will Fred VanVleet earn his massive new contract?Journalists are not supposed to carry water for organizations. We’re supposed to tell the truth.

Here’s the truth. The Houston Rockets’ approach to free agency wasn’t perfect. Arguably, it wasn’t even good.

It wasn’t the abject disaster that some are suggesting, either. In fact, I think Rafael Stone still emerges from the offseason with a strong grade. The Udoka hiring and the draft (if mostly fortuitous rather than a reflection of his abilities) were A+++ moves.

Free agency was more like…a C? The team is, as was the stated goal, “materially better”. On the other hand, assets were mismanaged.

How badly?

The Rockets gave young players away

The…