Report: Rockets likely to trade Terrence Jones at draft; plotting for Love and Aldridge
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The Houston Rockets do not intend to be a silent partner in the summer's free agent proceedings.
Hearing ever-aggressive Rockets are plotting ways to try to crash this summer's free-agent chases for both Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 25, 2015
While the rival Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have long been linked to Aldridge in free agency rumors, the Rockets are the lone Texas team that hasn't been discussed much with respect to the four-time All-Star and Texas native.
As for Love, the star big man opted out of the final year of his contract on Wednesday, making the Cleveland Cavaliers power forward an unrestricted free agent as of July 1.
Nabbing one of the summer's star free agents will require maximum cap space, however, something the Rockets aren't currently positioned to have. On that note, ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Houston will likely move forward Terrence Jones during Thursday's NBA Draft, with their No. 18 pick also available.
Jones, who is set to earn nearly $2.5 million next season, will be a restricted free agent next summer if he isn't extended by Oct. 31.
Rockets Update: Contrary to scuttle out there, latest word is that the price is higher than advertised for either No. 18 or Terrence Jones
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 25, 2015
While he isn't the caliber of player Aldridge and Love are, Jones' sudden departure from Houston would certainly be surprising. The 23-year-old has made great strides over his three years in the NBA, averaging roughly 12 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a block over his last two seasons with the Rockets. An improving defender, Jones has also slowly added a three-point shot to his repertoire, converting 35 percent of his long range attempts in a smaller sample size this season.
Jones missed half the season with nerve inflammation in his left leg that he feared may end his career, then missed time in March with another frightening health concern after suffering a collapsed lung. Still, in 33 games, he was able to show continued signs of promise.
Jones' status as a rookie-scale player means he's cost-controlled for now and team-controlled down the road, another appealing component for any team acquiring the developing power forward.
The Rockets have long been searching for a long-term, starry, shooting answer at the four to plug into a team already led by James Harden and Dwight Howard, and they came close to landing such a player in Chris Bosh last summer. They also sacrificed depth at time, though, in their quest to clear space for Bosh, something that appears to be repeating itself in their latest quest for a big name free agent.