Houston Rockets: Wilson Chandler needs to be lower on buyout target list

The Houston Rockets definitely need to have Wilson Chandler on their buyout target list but with a lower priority. Why? It’s time to take a look.

Houston Rockets fans — it has been just one week since the NBA trade deadline and I’m still getting quite antsy in regard to the buyout market as it’s certainly the by-product of the massive amount of trades that were made last Thursday.

Although the NBA All-Star Break is approaching, this doesn’t mean that general managers take a break in working to try to field the best product out on the hardwood. We know that it’s none the exception of Daryl Morey’s modus operandi.

The buyout market has become just as exciting as the trade deadline because with tweaks to the collective bargaining agreement, it allows teams to cut away from large contracts that affect their bottom line and it allows playoff contenders — like the Houston Rockets — to be able to take advantage of acquiring quality talent at a discounted price.

Isn’t that what we all look for? We all want the highest of quality but yet keep the price as low as possible. It’s nothing different when it comes to building rosters for professional basketball teams.

But I tell you what — the Houston Rockets (to which I’m sure they have) better have Wilson Chandler on their buyout target list because I think he’d be a solid addition to the team.

Now that Enes Kanter is off the market with the Portland Trail Blazers bringing him into the fold, the team should look to Markieff Morris next and not so far away to Chandler if the Los Angeles Clippers execute a buyout of the remainder of the $12.8 million that he will make this season. This was actually a player option that he exercised for this season.

Chandler is wrapping up a four-year, $46.5 million deal that he signed in the 2015 off season.

Although the Clippers had a strong start to the season, they’ve cooled off just a tad, holding onto a 32-27 record, good for 8th place in the West. They’re now only two games behind the Houston Rockets (33-24).

Whether Chandler will be bought out will certainly be determined by if the Clippers feel they can make a notable push to get themselves into the playoffs, which is certainly not out of the question for that team.

It may be a bit longer before things materialize with Chandler as the Clips seem committed to having him around.

However, for Morris, he’s a free man after executing his buyout with the New Orleans Pelicans so it’s a possibility that he could land in Houston sooner if the cards are played right.

So what does Chandler bring to the table?

Although this season hasn’t yielded much in terms of defensive prowess (111 defensive rating per 100 possessions), his ability to hone in on such an important skill is one of his most important traits. How many times day-in and out that he gave the Houston Rockets fits whenever they’d face him?

He’s still can be a pretty-darn good stopper like when he was in his prime and will chase guys down the floor like a speedy guard to make sure his mission is accomplished. But partly the reason why Chandler became a tradeable asset was because of his lack of grasp of the pick-and-roll defense with the Sixers.

Could that bode the same in Houston if he were to come into the fold?

That’s a good question but I’d like to think that Jeff Bzdelik and the rest of the coaching staff could scheme up a plan for him to maximize his success at something so important to master in today’s NBA.

His rebounding percentage is a 9.5 percent which definitely pales in comparison to Clint Capela

More from House of Houston

(20.6), Kanter (21.4) and slightly to Morris (10.8). But if he’s available and the Houston Rockets are limited on options, his 4.7 rebounds that he’s averaging a game will definitely come in handy.

Another alarming stat is that Chandler is hoisting up more threes from behind-the-arc than ever before — 57 percent of his field goal attempts have come from three this season. That’s up from 39 percent in 2017-18.

In fact, he’s shooting more threes than two-pointers to which now that comprises just 43 percent of his attempts.

How’s he doing with accuracy at a higher volume?

Chandler is averaging 1.3 makes versus 3.3 attempts per game this season at a 39 percent clip to which I’d say that’s solid for a guy that’s going into the twilight years of his career.

But all in all, I acknowledge the Houston Rockets wouldn’t be getting Chandler in his prime when he was with the Nugs and he’s not even my first choice out on the buyout market. Moreover, I do think he could be provide a moderate jolt on the rebounding/defensive end and would provide solid depth in the front court.

His situation with the Clippers is definitely something one should monitor over the next week or so.

I know I will.

Next. Rockets: Five guys to target on the buyout market. dark

Chandler, 31, is averaging 6.7 points and 2.0 assists with a shooting line of .440/.390/.722 through 36 games — 32 starts — this season.

Home/Houston Rockets