Houston Rockets Rumors: When Johnson and Wright will likely suit up

The Houston Rockets pursuits on the buyout market proved to be fruitful as they were able to successfully fill out the corners of their roster by adding another guard and big man to the mix in Joe Johnson and Brandan Wright. They’re expected to sign Monday and here’s more details on this.

The Houston Rockets proved to have a different change of course from previous seasons at the team stood pat as it passed. It’s no surprise they did so because this team is one of the most complete that it has been in quite a long time.

You could have go back to the back-to-back championship years as well as a few seasons after before the turn-of-the-century where the team was still successful. But there’s something different about this team specifically.

The Houston Rockets have a specific player to combat just about every concern they may have out on the court — three-point specialists, defensive gurus as well as instant-offense aficionados — to ensure these guys outlast the competition and make a deep run and a hopeful championship THIS YEAR. This team is closer than any other to topple the Golden State Warriors’ crown as the defending champs.

With the buyouts for both veteran guard Joe Johnson as well as center Brandan Wright successfully completed from the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies respectively, both will go through the waiver process and should be ready to sign by Monday.

Since the team has a quick skedaddle up to Minneapolis this Tuesday, they’ll likely be ready to suit up Wednesday against the Kings in a back-to-back at Toyota Center. There’s no sense in carrying those guys on such a quick trip and I don’t think we necessarily need them to beat the Timberwolves.

Long-time guard Bobby Brown had quietly re-signed with the Houston Rockets but was waived to make room for Johnson. No corresponding move had to be made for Wright as the team had one spot open, carrying 14 players. With these additions, the roster is filled to the brim.

Johnson will be able provide an immediate boost to the back court, giving Chris Paul, James Harden and Eric Gordon a break while providing valuable minutes with his hard-nosed defense

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and his innate ability to still be a proficient points-creator.

Wright brings his expertise of being able to masterfully out-rebound his competition while providing insurmountable protection around the rim. He won’t be asked to score unless he has the open opportunity but he just need to eat up space in the paint. He’ll be effective in doing that and this gives Nene Hilario the opportunity to rest more so that he’ll be healthy when the playoffs start, when we need him the most.

Both players have had their history of injuries but with the minimal amount of minutes they’ll playing, it’s not going to be an issue. They know this and I’m sure their main focus is to do whatever they can to help this team secure a potential third championship for the franchise. Both additions will be an immediate impact in terms of the relief the current roster will get from not logging as much minutes.

Next: Why the Rockets wanted to acquire Brandan Wright

This also sends a clear signal that Mike D’Antoni is willing to tweak his rotation just a bit to include these guys with some playing time. As we near the end of the season, their value will be even more as the goal is to have an easy, not-so-harried sprint toward the finish line.

We’ll have to see but I’m glad these guys are here and it’s terrific Daryl Morey was able to win them on the buyout market.

Go Rockets.

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