Some prospects
A look at some of the players in the pool of potential Rockets midlevel targets:
REGGIE BULLOCK
Lakers, forward
Bullock is the sort who could be priced out of the Rockets’ range, but is likely to be on the move and has skills as a catch-and-shoot threat that would fit well with the Rockets. He is a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter with switch ability on the defensive end.
DEMARRE CARROLL
Nets, forward
Briefly a member of the Rockets, Carroll would bring the toughness on the wing that would appeal to the Rockets and would offer another small-ball option at power forward. He can knock down 3s, but is not a particularly high-percentage range shooter.
WESLEY MATTHEWS
Pacers, guard
Matthews is a tough defensive player and a good shooter the Rockets hoped to land during the inseason free-agent market. He chose the Pacers to get more playing time than likely with the Rockets to set himself up better for free agency. That would indicate he is unlikely to come at a bargain price.
WAYNE ELLINGTON
Pistons, guard
Shooting is getting expensive and Ellington has made 37.9 percent of his 3s in his career while putting them up at a Rockets-like rate (at least 6.2 per game, usually off the bench) in the past five seasons. After 10 NBA seasons, he could be hesitant to choose a contender at a discount compared to richer offers.
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE Lakers, guard
The Rockets had interest in Caldwell-Pope early in the season and could find him available during the Lakers’ house-cleaning. He has averaged in double figures in each of the past five seasons since his rookie year with the Pistons. He made 34.7 percent of his 3s last season after a career-best 38.3 percent the prior season, his first in Los Angeles.
RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON Nets, forward
The Nets opened cap space by declining to make Hollis-Jefferson a qualifying offer. Hollis-Jefferson is a versatile defender and a reliable scorer, but has been nowhere near the sort of 3-point shooter the Rockets typically seek, making a career-worst 18.4 percent of his 3s last season.
TOMAS SATORANSKY
Wizards, guard
A fine shooter, Satoransky has good size and athleticism, as he demonstrated with a memorable dunk all over Zhou Qi. He has made 40 percent of his 3s in three NBA seasons.
KELLY OUBRE
Suns, forward
Oubre has many of the qualities the Rockets could seek, and he might be interested in a homecoming. He appears to be a player who should be a more reliable range shooter, but he remains at 32.1 percent for his career.
DARIUS MILLER
Pelicans, forward
Miller is not as accomplished in a more limited role as many others hitting the free-agent market, but he is a career 38.2 percent 3-point shooter.
RODNEY HOOD
Trail Blazers, forward
Hood likely helped his stock with his strong playoff performances, leaving the Jazz and Cavaliers years behind. That also would likely elevate him put of midlevel range, but he could be a guy who leaves someone else standing when the larger money is gone.
JAMYCHAL GREEN
Clippers, forward
Though he is not a wing, the Rockets could use another 3-and-D at the four, too. Green made 40.3 percent of his 3s last season with the Grizzlies and Clippers, likely making him an expensive free agent.
TREVOR ARIZA
Wizards, forward
Run it back? It would seem unlikely Ariza would sign for the midlevel exception, even more so that he would return to the Rockets for a third tour of duty in Houston. But because the Rockets are trying to replace Trevor Ariza, he would fit the mold.