NBA Mock Offseason: LA Clippers win Finals and Bradley Beal is traded

NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Houston Rockets James Harden (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Houston Rockets

Roster 

Head coach: Jason Kidd (hired in offseason)

2019-20 NBA season results:

  • Lost in the first round of the playoffs to the LA Clippers

Who they re-signed:

  • N/A

Who they signed in FA:

  • Danilo Gallinari signed to a three-year, $64.8 million (sign and trade) contract
  • Tristan Thompson signed to a two-year, full mid-level exception contract
  • Matthew Dellavedova signed to a one-year, league-minimum contract
  • Pat Connaughton signed to a one-year, league-minimum contract
  • DeMarcus Cousins signed to a one-year, league-minimum contract
  • DeMarre Carroll signed to a one-year, league-minimum contract

Trades they made:

  • Cash to the Charlotte Hornets for 55th overall draft pick for cash
  • Danilo Gallinari (sign and trade) for Eric Gordon, Isaiah Hartenstein, and 2022 Houston Rockets first-round draft pick

Who they drafted:

  • Kaleb Wesson

Other moves:

  • N/A

Summary: The Houston Rockets make one major move then a bunch of minor ones to fill out their bench. Adding Danilo Gallinari gives them another scoring threat to keep defenses accountable and honest. Gallinari spreading the floor with Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker should allow James Harden and Russell Westbrook to do their thing.

The other veteran additions are great fits as well. Tristan Thompson gives them a big option for when opponents try to exploit Houston’s small-ball lineup. DeMarcus Cousins has not been able to stay healthy, but if he finally can then that would be a sneaky addition. The biggest move outright may be off the court as they replace Mike D’Antoni with Jason Kidd.

Hopefully, Kidd has learned from previously disappointing stints in Milwaukee and Brooklyn and after being humbled a bit by being an assistant with the Lakers and could provide creative ways as a former ball handler to run the offense through Westbrook and Harden.