Houston Rockets: Make A Play For Paul Millsap?

ByBrian K. Patterson|Jun 16, 2015, 3:05 PM EDT

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May 24, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward

LeBron James

(23) blocks the shot of Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) during overtime in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that we need an additional, consistent inside presence along withDwight Howardand I think Millsap will fit the bill.

He scores, he rebounds, he blocks shots and you know what’s most important?

He plays defense!

In fact, Millsap was ranked9thin the league for the 2014-15 season as far as defensive rating at a whopping99.2.

Wow — he’d certainly fit with the Rockets mantra that had been the blueprint of the season as well into the playoffs.

But he won’t come cheap.

Whether he fits with the Rockets financially is the bigger question.

For starters, the Rox don’t necessarily have the largest of cap space amongst teams in the league but with some salary-clearing moves, something can be done about this.

The club currently has nine players coupled with$54.6 millionin guaranteed contracts against an estimated $67.1 millionsalary cap for the 2015-16 season.

It already has been reported that the Rockets will pick upKostas Papanikolaou‘s$4.8 millionoption so that may factor in to how much they have to spend and is also dependent on if the Rockets decide to re-signPatrick Beverley, a restricted free agent,to which his minimum qualifying offerwould be right around$2.7 million.

But we all know Beverley will command more money thanthat as the Mavericks seem to be seeking his services.

As it stands, there’s no way that we can afford him straight up with anywhere around from$5 to $10 millionin the bank as far as cap space.

But we have some pieces such asDonatas Motiejunas, Papanikolaou,Terrence Jonesand the No. 18 pick in this year’s draft to dangle but that’s not enough.

This deal would have include an additional team to get this done to likely whet the appetite of what the Hawks want and to find a replacement of Millsap’s stature.

With the Rockets having to make decisions in regard to free agents in Beverley,Josh SmithandCorey Brewerit’s not the easiest of moves either.

But it can be done.

WithLaMarcus AldridgeandKevin Lovebeing the biggest blue chips that are free agents this season, I think the Rockets should not go for guy that just about every team with resources would covet but rather one that shows up for work and does his job well; and, for the most part, barely makes a peep about it.

Just think about it — we’d have a front-line as fierce as ever before and D12 will no longer be pulling out the hairs in his carefully-crafted mohawk in regard to not getting enough help in the paint!