Rockets sign former Grizzlies wing Brooks to 4-year, $80M deal
The Houston Rockets signed former Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks to a massive four-year, $80 million contract, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Brooks spent time in the public eye during last season's playoffs after taunting Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James in the Grizzlies' first-round playoff series. Brooks called the 38-year-old "old," which seemingly helped spark the Lakers to an upset series win. Brooks averaged 10.5 points on 31.2% shooting from the field in the six games.
Following the Canadian forward's antics in the playoffs, the Grizzlies reportedly said they would not sign the impending free agent this summer "under any circumstances."
Brooks has played all six of his NBA seasons in Memphis after being the No. 45 pick out of Oregon in 2017. He's averaged double figures in all but one season, most recently putting up 14.3 points per game on a career-worst 39.6% mark from the field.
Known as a solid wing defender, Brooks will aim to provide intensity to a Rockets team that finished No. 29 in defensive rating last season.
The Rockets were very busy on Saturday, signing former Phoenix Suns big man Jock Landale to a four-year, $32 million deal and reportedly trading for Brooklyn Nets veteran guard Patty Mills, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Houston also made headways on Friday by signing former Toronto Raptors point guard Fred VanVleet to a maximum contract.