How can Houston improve this offseason? “VERY IMPORTANT” Three realistic three-point shooters the Rockets should target

For the fourth consecutive season, the Houston Rockets were among the NBA’s worst shooting teams. They finished with 35.2% from beyond the arc, ranking 23rd in the league. This is an improvement over the 32.7 percent they shot last season, which was dead last.

Yes, it was an improvement last season, helping the Rockets to a 41-41 record, but finishing.500 and missing the playoffs was not the team’s goal. To take the next step in their return to the NBA’s top tier, the Rockets must improve their shooting ability. Throughout the season, opponents made it a point to enter a 2-3 zone whenever the Rockets gained offensive momentum.

It would frequently slow down Houston because they couldn’t take outside shots. Yes, signing Tari Eason, one of the Rockets’ best shooters prior to his injury, will help next season, but the Rockets still require more shooting.

Remember that the Rockets will not have as much cap space as they did last season, but there are moves the team can make to clear space. Jock Landale and Jeff Green are not guaranteed for next season, and they could trade Jae’Sean Tate, who earns more than $8 million per year and is in the final year of his contract. Also, as things stand, the Rockets will not have many minutes to spare, even if they trade Tate and Landale.

With that out of the way, here are three role-player free agent options that the Rockets should consider this offseason to improve their outside shooting.

Malik Beasley

Age: 27

2023-24 Salary: $2.7 millon

Malik Beasley is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks and is coming off the best three-point shooting season of his career, considering the only other time he shot better than his 41.3 percent from this season was 2019-20, when he only played 14 games.

He improved his outside shooting this season, shooting over 44% from the field, his highest FG percentage since the 2018-19 season. In addition, in his eighth year, he had his highest effective field goal percentage ever, at nearly 60%.

He is paid a meagre $2 million for the 2023-24 season and will be looking for a rise the following season. He is more than just a three-point shooter; he can also score off the dribble and create his own shot.

Kendavious Caldwell Pope

Age: 31

2023-24 Salary: $15 million player option

Next on my list is Kendavious Caldwell Pope, who is having another productive season for the defending champions, shooting more than 40% from three for the third time in four seasons. Pope is probably the most exciting player on the list because he has played with Nikola Jokic for the past two seasons, who has a similar playing style to a certain Houston centre.

Alperen Sengun has been compared to Jokic on a few occasions…. well, make that a few hundred occasions, and having a player like Pope, who knows how to play off a dominant centre and is also a good passer, could bode well for his fit with Houston. Caldwell Pope shot 40.6 percent from downtown, and being on the same court with Jokic undoubtedly helps, but think back to Rockets games this season, and I am sure you remember how many open shots players had when Sengun was on the court.

Of course, Pope could easily accept his player option and stay with Denver next season, but if he does hit the open market, he is definitely someone the Rockets should consider.

Alec Burks

Age 32

2023-24 salary: $10.4 million.

Alec Burks, a lesser-known player, is a key contributor to the New York Knicks, who are currently in the playoffs. He has been a top shooter in the league for years. Last season, Burks played for two teams, and despite struggling from three-point range with the Knicks, he finished the season shooting 37 percent from downtown.

Burks’ struggles with the Knicks can be explained in part by the fact that they play a different style of offence than most teams, which took some time to adjust to. In addition, he will receive more open looks from the Rockets and will fit into a more traditional role. In his career, he has shot 38.3 percent from deep, and he, like Pope, should not command a high contract like Buddy Hield or Klay Thompson. Also, like Pope, he will not require many touches or play a significant role on the team.

Burks is 32 and lost his rotation spot late in the season, so he is past his prime, but given the Rockets’ needs, he would be an excellent candidate to pursue this offseason.

The Rockets enter the offseason on a high note, having finished with their best record in the last four seasons, but there are some areas for improvement, with three-point shooting at the top of the list. The three players mentioned in this article are viable options who can help the Rockets take the next step in 2024-25.

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