Let the overhaul commence
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Rockets’ season came to a resounding end Wednesday night. And more than ever, elimination means an overhaul. Less clear is whether a year after they lobbied for the team to be kept together they would mind a breakup.
There was a similar sense of inevitability when the Rockets lost in the first round to Portland to bring the 2013-14 season to a stunning end, but the changes that came that offseason went beyond any anticipated. This time, little of what’s to come could be a surprise after the Rockets’ efforts last summer to build on chemistry and cohesion backfired badly and will lead to an extreme makeover.
The first step will be to start a coaching search.
Interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff will be considered and will have a chance to discuss what sort of changes he would make with a training camp and a retooled roster.
Similar conversations will be held with former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. Van Gundy has been happy with his role as the lead analyst on ESPN and ABC games, but he has shown interest in returning to coaching. He would prefer to remain in his adopted hometown of Houston, but he’d place the priority on a working relationship with Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and owner Leslie Alexander.
Recycle Van Gundy?
No bridges were burned in the years after Van Gundy was let go, but Alexander will want to be certain Van Gundy will move to an uptempo offense with an emphasis on 3-point shooting.
Though the Rockets are not far enough in the process to have defined a list or even a strategy for a search beyond researching potential candidates, according to two individuals familiar with the discussions, Van Gundy is considered likely to be a starting point.
His former Rockets assistant Tom Thibodeau would have been pursued, but the Rockets did not lose him to Minnesota because the search has been put on hold in the postseason. Knowing the Rockets’ job would soon be open, Thibodeau chose the Timberwolves’ young talent and the authority he was given.
Former Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, a guard in the Rockets’ first championship season, was considered a candidate, though not a favorite before taking over the similarly positioned Washington Wizards.
The Rockets will reach out to many others, though the search is not expected to be anywhere near as exhaustive and protracted as when Kevin McHale was chosen to succeed Van Gundy.
The choice of coach and the system he would run likely will be the only piece of information Dwight Howard will need before deciding whether to return for the final season of his contract.
Howard has been expected to opt out since the players association turned down the NBA’s request to phase in the salary-cap increase, leading to this summer’s dramatic spike in free-agent dollars. The Rockets’ struggles this season and his decreased role have seemed to make him certain to consider his options elsewhere.
The Rockets have not ruled out trying to keep Howard, but that would be part of a larger plan and would depend greatly on their choice of coach.
The Rockets’ top priority would be to join the pursuit of Thunder star Kevin Durant. Oklahoma City’s success and the Rockets’ issues could complicate that because the Rockets likely seek a key signing to help entice Durant, the prize of the summer.
Begin star search
Balancing that kind of budget if the Rockets hope to first lock up Howard or attract a coveted second star to join James Harden such as Atlanta’s Al Horford could be difficult. New Orleans forward Ryan Anderson has been a frequent trade target. Other top unrestricted free agents include Miami center Hassan Whiteside, Memphis guard Mike Conley, Golden State forward Harrison Barnes, Charlotte center Al Jefferson and forward Nicolas Batum and Dallas forward Chandler Parsons.
Morey may have as much as $44 million to spend in free agency, though that would require rescinding any qualifying offers he makes and either letting all his own free agents walk or forfeiting his “Bird rights” to sign them.
It might not come to that, even if he does find ways to spend that much. He has several contracts that in the new NBA economy could be considered good value and relatively easy to move, at least compared to his previous summers clearing cap room.
Morey also could bring back Michael Beasley, who appears to be a bargain, and keep his qualifying offer and cap hold to try to keep restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas, and still have $38 million to spend.
Terrence Jones, Josh Smith and Jason Terry will be free agents. Harden, Pat Beverley, Trevor Ariza, Corey Brewer, K.J. McDaniels, Beasley and Andrew Goudelock are all under contract with the Rockets, the latter two with team options for next season; Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker are on their rookie deals.
Despite the Rockets’ struggles, they could keep many of those signed players. But nearly anything is likely to be considered. As different as the Rockets’ season has been from expectations, the offseason is expected to bring more widespread changes.