Houston Rockets: The wrinkle added to a potential Kent Bazemore deal

The Houston Rockets are assuredly not done with the off season just yet, trying to do everything they can to snatch up one more wing defender to make this roster whole. Kent Bazemore has been the object of the team’s affection as of late but a new wrinkle has been added. What is it? Let’s take a look.

The Houston Rockets continue to work toward striving to beat the Golden State Warriors this upcoming season. Although many have criticized the Houston Rockets for not doing enough in the off season, I honestly think that the roster is in great shape for the upcoming season.

With the re-signing of Chris Paul, Clint Capela and Gerald Green, it solidifies the roster with guys that are committed to the Houston Rockets‘ strategy to success and never-ending quest to be the best in the league.

With additions of Michael Carter-Williams, James Ennis and eventually Carmelo Anthony, these players will more than fill the void left by the departure of free agents Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute.

But even with these additions, the Houston Rockets still need to add a wing defender to the fold in order to push themselves over the top. Kent Bazemore has been on the Houston Rockets radar for quite some time yet a deal has yet be made to ship him over here.

I’ve talked about the potential combinations that would put the deal over the top and past the finish line but here’s the latest that Kelly Iko of Rockets Wire is reporting:

Source: Atlanta would be open to taking Ryan Anderson’s remaining $41 million back, but would need draft pick + one of Houston’s young guys. A package of Anderson, Melton and a 2019 first might be enough to get a deal done, but Houston is high on Melton and his upside.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) August 7, 2018

This is a bit different from other reports indicating that they’d take Ryan Anderson and a 2019 first-rounder. I had proposed packaging Zhou Qi in the deal — with the other components — to

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get it done and I still believe in that notion.

But De’Anthony Melton, one of the Houston Rockets‘ second-round picks, possesses stock that continues to rise and the versatile guard will has drawn the attention of the Atlanta Hawks. He flashed plenty in the Summer League, most notably putting up 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in a 104-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers July 9. Melton had 32 minutes of action.

At this point, I think offering Melton would be a bit steep of a package but if that’s what it takes to land Bazemore, I’d still go on and pull the trigger on the deal.

Bazemore has drastically improved his shooting last season — especially with the three-ball — and has always been a terrific defender. His presence at the three-spot would more than make up for Ariza’s spot that’s now vacant as a result of his departure.

Although it’s important to continue to draft well to keep the future intact, it’s just as important to sign-off on deals for potential game-changes like Bazemore. It’s time to WIN NOW as this team is at the cusp of qualifying for an NBA championship. We’ll have to see how this shakes out but I think Bazemore is the main and final ingredient to make this team as wholesome as it gets.

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Bazemore, 29, averaged 12.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists with a shooting line of .420/.394/.796 through 65 games in 2017-18.

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