Houston Rockets: Why the team should pursue Derrick Rose

As crazy as this may sound, the Houston Rockets should need to have their crosshairs on an important free agent target this summer.

NBA Free Agency is set to open this Saturday, and the Houston Rockets are linked to several potential targets. From signing all-stars, Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap, to reuniting with Kyle Lowry. It is safe to say that Daryl Morey and the Rockets are going all out this summer.

Although any one of these players will look fabulous in Rocket Red, acquiring just one may dismantle the excellent team chemistry Houston showcased last season.

For a team that won 55 games and almost advanced to the West Conference Finals, the Rockets need to be careful when going after big name stars. However, after signing Dwight Howard in 2013, Morey should be the first to know all that glitters is not gold.

The one aspect the Rockets need to focus on is finding another floor general to pair with James Harden. Although Harden did an exceptional job as Houston’s point guard, the lack of having another playmaker is what made the league’s assists leader look exhausted during the playoffs.

Sure, the rumors of Chris Paul to Houston may look appealing to the naked eye. But having two ball dominating guards on the same team may do more harm than good in the long run.

The one player Morey should keep an eye on this offseason is New York Knicks‘ point guard Derrick Rose.

With Phil Jackson running the New York Knicks into the ground these days, there is a good chance Rose will have a new home this fall as he’s a free agent. And what better place to reestablish himself as one of the league’s top guards than in Houston?

Not only would Rose create a healthy usage rate with Harden in the back court, but signing Rose wouldn’t force Morey to dismantle his entire roster to sign the three-time All-Star.

Without a doubt, the number one concern when signing Rose is his health. And it is sad to say that Rose has missed a total of 164 games over the past six seasons, since he was the league’s most valuable player. However, when looking at the past two, he has only missed 34 games, evidence that his health has improved.

Nevertheless, when healthy, Rose is still better than half of the league’s starting point guard despite the injuries he has faced over the years.

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In 72 games this season, the 28-year-old point guard averaged 18.0 points on 47.1 percent shooting for the Knicks, which marks his most efficient season since winning the MVP award in 2011.

Not only did he increase his scoring and shooting percentage, but fans saw glimpses of the Rose of old some six years ago.

In Houston, Rose will provide the Rockets something they have not had in years. A reliable point guard who can help orchestrate their offense, especially with Harden.

With the ball in Rose’s hand, Harden will no longer carry the offensive burden he possessed the past five seasons. Rose would easily become Houston’s second scoring option while giving the Rockets an additional conductor on the court.

Throughout his career, Rose has been respectable. In fact, during his MVP season, he averaged 7.7 assists per game. However, his abilities as a floor general were overlooked by his electrifying scoring.

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With the opportunity to run the pick-and-roll with Clint Capela, Rose can create a lethal one-two punch with Houston’ rising star. And with the ability to penetrate to the basket causing his opponents’ defense to collapse, Rose would have multiple sharpshooters standing out on the perimeter for an open three.

He may never return to the player that made him the youngest MVP in league history, but Rose’s career is far from over. If Morey can get his hands on the former number one pick, perhaps Rose is the missing piece to a Rockets’ title.

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