One NBA writer believes the Houston Rockets will look to trade Dillon Brooks “as early as this year.” Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks the Rockets “will realize they made a mistake” by signing Brooks to a four-year, $86 million contract.
“Brooks’ four-year, $86 million contract looks bad now, but it will become an even bigger problem when Houston’s young core come off their rookie deals,” Swartz wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün will be eligible to sign extensions in 2024, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason will follow suit in 2025. New head coach Ime Udoka is going to grow tired of Brooks’ self-imposed green light, especially with so many young mouths to feed on this roster.
“The Rockets have a ton of young talent and were smart to get a veteran point guard in Fred VanVleet to bring out the best in them. However, don’t be surprised if they look to get out of the Brooks contract as early as this year.”
The Memphis Grizzlies did not re-sign Brooks this summer because they did not like the shots the forward took on offense, according to NBA reporter Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Brooks joined the Rockets on a four-year, $86 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Grizzlies.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Dillon Brooks Updates
Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season for the Grizzlies while shooting 39.6% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Memphis won 51 games in the regular season and was the second seed in the Western Conference.
However, the Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in six games and Brooks didn’t play well. The 27-year-old averaged just 10.5 points while shooting 31.2% from the floor and 23.8% from 3 against the Lakers.
Brooks also talked too much trash to LeBron James, calling the four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP “old” after the Grizzlies won Game 2 in Memphis. Memphis told Brooks it would not bring him back during exit meetings and the franchise stuck to its word.
The Rockets entered NBA free agency with the most cap space. They signed Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Dillon Brooks Updates
“Ime Udoka wanted him,” MacMahon said. “He valued him. He’s in Houston a large part because of that. It’s on Ime Udoka to deal with that stuff and get the best version of Dillon Brooks that also creates the best possible scenarios for these young guys to grow.”
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
