With Christian Wood traded and Alperen Sengun a first-time starter at center with notorious fouling concerns, Houston is understandably in the market for center depth entering the NBA’s 2022 free agency.
The Rockets are over the salary cap entering the 2022 offseason and limited to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NT-MLE) as a maximum offer to players, starting at around $10.5 million annually.
But with Houston projected to have major salary cap room in 2023, the big question is whether the rebuilding Rockets are simply bargain basement shopping for any big man who might fall through the cracks and be open to a one-year contract, or if they might be willing to invest more heavily and cut into their potential 2023 flexibility for the right fit.
Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone appears open to a more substantial investment — at least if the player is young enough to mesh with Houston’s young core. Iko writes:
Bamba is already generating interest from a slew of teams ahead of Thursday’s free agency — with Houston, Chicago, and Orlando among them, sources said.
Like Bamba, a number of teams have expressed interest in Hartenstein — Houston included — who is also open to a return to the Clippers, but with Wall headed there for what figures to be a good chunk of their mid-level exception — and Ivica Zubac reportedly inking a $33 million extension, running it back looks a bit more complex. Hartenstein would fit well with this current Rockets team, being able to function as a rim-runner, passer, rim protector, and also space the floor.
Both Bamba and Hartenstein are only 24 years old. Bamba averaged 10.6 points (48.0% FG, 38.1% on 3-pointers), 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 25.7 minutes with the Magic last season, while Hartenstein averaged 8.3 points (62.6% FG, 46.7% on 3-pointers), 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 17.9 minutes per game with the Clippers.
Mo Bamba is generating interest from a slew of teams ahead of Thursday’s free agency, including the Rockets, Bulls and Magic, sources tell @KellyIkoNBA.
More Houston intel: https://t.co/eX8z8XeWBw pic.twitter.com/QRSta0x6dN
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 29, 2022
Bamba will be a restricted free agent. Because Orlando will have the ability to match any outside offer and still retain Bamba, that could make Hartenstein — who is unrestricted — more obtainable.
Either way, though, both are the type of talented young big that is unlikely to be a bargain basement signing, particularly when free agency negotiations open on Thursday evening. Thus, Houston’s willingness to show interest in Bamba and Hartenstein would seem to be a signal that Stone and the Rockets are open to bidding higher, for the right player.
Iko also identifies Gorgui Dieng, most recently of the Hawks, and veteran Suns center JaVale McGee as players of interest. However, unlike Bamba and Hartenstein, those would presumably be at a lower price point.
