Rockets offseason recap: Ryan Anderson joins Houston's high-powered offense
With the bulk of NBA free agency in the books, USA TODAY Sports explores how all of the offseason moves will alter each team as we look ahead to the 2016-17 season.
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Projected starting five: Houston Rockets
(Statistics from 2015-16 season)
- Patrick Beverley - Points: 9.9, assists: 3.4, rebounds: 3.5, steals: 1.3, field goal percentage: 43.4%
- James Harden - Points: 29.0, rebounds: 6.1, assists: 7.5, steals: 1.7, field goal percentage: 43.9%
- Trevor Ariza - Points: 12.7, rebounds: 4.5, assists: 2.3, steals: 2.0, field goal percentage: 41.6%
- Ryan Anderson (with New Orleans) - Points: 17.0, rebounds: 6.0, assists: 1.1, blocks: 0.4, field goal percentage: 42.7%
- Clint Capela - Points: 7.0, rebounds: 6.4, assists: 0.6, blocks: 1.2, field goal percentage: 58.2%
Added - Coach Mike D'Antoni, Harden (re-negotiated contract), Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario, Pablo Prigioni, Chinanu Onauku, Zhou Qi
Lost - Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones, Jason Terry, Josh Smith (unsigned), Donatas Motiejunas (restricted, unsigned)
Biggest acquisition - Anderson
A knock-down shooter who struggles to keep up defensively, Anderson fits the bill in Houston, joining coach D'Antoni in what figures to be one of the NBA's most high-powered offenses. If the former Most Improved Player (2011-12) can stay healthy — which he hasn't been able to do for three seasons — he'll help spread the floor for Harden and give an immediate boost to a team that won't have any problems letting the three-ball fly.
Biggest departure - Howard
Although Howard was far from that three-time Defensive Player of the Year that ruled the paint in Orlando during his tumultuous tenure in Houston, his departure — though inevitable — leaves a hole for a team with well-documented issues on the defensive end.
X factor - Capela
As he enters his third NBA season, Capela — a 22-year old power forward/center from Switzerland — is next in line to fill the void left by Howard. He has the physical tools and showcased plenty of potential both in the pick-and-roll and as a rim protector during his first two NBA seasons, but this year will be a whole new test.
Offseason grade - B-
Check out our other offseason recaps: Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Detroit Pistons • Golden State Warriors
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