Rockets will meet with Dillon Brooks, Brook Lopez
Ahead of the beginning of free agency, Houston’s brass traveled to Los Angeles to set up camp and prepare for a number of meetings that will take place over the next few days. At the outset, they will meet with with wing Dillon Brooks and center Brook Lopez, league sources say. They also hope to meet with Van Vleet and his representatives.
Source: Kelly Iko @ The Athletic
Source: Kelly Iko @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
New from @JakeLFischer:
-Rockets backed off of pursuing Harden when Ime Udoka was hired and FVV became their top point guard target
-Udoka prefers adding defensive-minded veterans like Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez to Houston’s young core
-Houston in “driver’s seat” for… – 1:37 PM
New from @JakeLFischer:
-Rockets backed off of pursuing Harden when Ime Udoka was hired and FVV became their top point guard target
-Udoka prefers adding defensive-minded veterans like Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez to Houston’s young core
-Houston in “driver’s seat” for… – 1:37 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
Less than five hours left until free agency begins, meaning there is only a short amount of time left for Dillon Brooks to sign an extension. He is eligible for an extension up to a maximum of five years and $79,344,000, which is likely more than he could get on the open market. – 1:26 PM
Less than five hours left until free agency begins, meaning there is only a short amount of time left for Dillon Brooks to sign an extension. He is eligible for an extension up to a maximum of five years and $79,344,000, which is likely more than he could get on the open market. – 1:26 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Rockets plan to meet with Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez in Los Angeles when free agency begins, per @KellyIko (theathletic.com/4653757/2023/0…).
Houston has long been rumored to covet Fred VanVleet, Brooks and Lopez with their $60+ million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/LckN57p5RJ – 12:44 PM
The Rockets plan to meet with Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez in Los Angeles when free agency begins, per @KellyIko (theathletic.com/4653757/2023/0…).
Houston has long been rumored to covet Fred VanVleet, Brooks and Lopez with their $60+ million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/LckN57p5RJ – 12:44 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
New from @KellyIko:
-Rockets meeting with free agents Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez at the start of free agency
-They expect to also meet with Bruce Brown and Kyrie Irving
-They hope to meet with Fred VanVleet
-Meeting with forward Kyle Kuzma is also a possibility
-KJ Martin… – 11:48 AM
New from @KellyIko:
-Rockets meeting with free agents Dillon Brooks and Brook Lopez at the start of free agency
-They expect to also meet with Bruce Brown and Kyrie Irving
-They hope to meet with Fred VanVleet
-Meeting with forward Kyle Kuzma is also a possibility
-KJ Martin… – 11:48 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I think the tweet I most want to see tomorrow is “Darvin Ham is currently meeting with Brook Lopez at Disneyland.” – 10:36 PM
I think the tweet I most want to see tomorrow is “Darvin Ham is currently meeting with Brook Lopez at Disneyland.” – 10:36 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
If Sacramento chose Barnes and the Rockets are going VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, I’m sort of unsure about where Kyle Kuzma might end. Those were the two teams I had in mind. – 8:16 PM
If Sacramento chose Barnes and the Rockets are going VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, I’m sort of unsure about where Kyle Kuzma might end. Those were the two teams I had in mind. – 8:16 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Brook Lopez is among the players LA could target with the full $12.4M non-tax MLE, per @mcten. pic.twitter.com/W6nUJdM4M4 – 7:17 PM
Brook Lopez is among the players LA could target with the full $12.4M non-tax MLE, per @mcten. pic.twitter.com/W6nUJdM4M4 – 7:17 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Just went through my phone and found this practice footage with a Brook Lopez dish to Alex Caruso… Look at this squad: Lonzo, Brewer, Randle, Ingram, KCP, Nance Jr, Caruso, Lopez… Oh how things have changed. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/ha4nLVhmts – 6:12 PM
Just went through my phone and found this practice footage with a Brook Lopez dish to Alex Caruso… Look at this squad: Lonzo, Brewer, Randle, Ingram, KCP, Nance Jr, Caruso, Lopez… Oh how things have changed. #Lakers pic.twitter.com/ha4nLVhmts – 6:12 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Brook Lopez was with the Lakers when I started covering practices, and his work ethic really impressed me back then, even when the team wasn’t really going anywhere. He’s worker. Loves the grind. Good dude and a beast on both ends. – 6:05 PM
Brook Lopez was with the Lakers when I started covering practices, and his work ethic really impressed me back then, even when the team wasn’t really going anywhere. He’s worker. Loves the grind. Good dude and a beast on both ends. – 6:05 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
If Brook Lopez is there for the taking and willing to accept what the Lakers are offering, I’d definitely make that move over bringing in Bruce Brown. I think the team would get more out of Lopez, who can do quite a bit on both ends. – 5:55 PM
If Brook Lopez is there for the taking and willing to accept what the Lakers are offering, I’d definitely make that move over bringing in Bruce Brown. I think the team would get more out of Lopez, who can do quite a bit on both ends. – 5:55 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: Parting ways with Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley will allow the Lakers to equip themselves with the full $12.4 million mid-level to target an impact player like Bruce Brown or Brook Lopez when free agency opens on Friday, sources told ESPN tinyurl.com/4sty7yhv – 5:31 PM
New story: Parting ways with Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley will allow the Lakers to equip themselves with the full $12.4 million mid-level to target an impact player like Bruce Brown or Brook Lopez when free agency opens on Friday, sources told ESPN tinyurl.com/4sty7yhv – 5:31 PM
FanDuel TV @FanDuelTV
Can you see Brook Lopez on OKC?
@KevinOConnorNBA & @MichaelVPina talk about it on the latest episode of #BeyondTheArc 🗣
Watch here
FanDuel.com/Plus pic.twitter.com/ywJnbgcGFF – 5:00 PM
Can you see Brook Lopez on OKC?
@KevinOConnorNBA & @MichaelVPina talk about it on the latest episode of #BeyondTheArc 🗣
Watch here
FanDuel.com/Plus pic.twitter.com/ywJnbgcGFF – 5:00 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
This one I found to be a bit interesting because I think he’d be a great fit in LA (again), with Brook Lopez favored to land with the Rockets, but the Lakers (6/1) not far behind with the Spurs slightly ahead, via @betonline_ag – Hey, he loves Disneyland! pic.twitter.com/3cq9K3PTPh – 3:59 PM
This one I found to be a bit interesting because I think he’d be a great fit in LA (again), with Brook Lopez favored to land with the Rockets, but the Lakers (6/1) not far behind with the Spurs slightly ahead, via @betonline_ag – Hey, he loves Disneyland! pic.twitter.com/3cq9K3PTPh – 3:59 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
This one kind of SHOCKED me! Dillon Brooks is favored to sign with the Rockets, but if not Houston, the Lakers and Heat have the next best odds at 10/1, according to @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/vzvu5pHSfe – 3:56 PM
This one kind of SHOCKED me! Dillon Brooks is favored to sign with the Rockets, but if not Houston, the Lakers and Heat have the next best odds at 10/1, according to @betonline_ag pic.twitter.com/vzvu5pHSfe – 3:56 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Woj says the #Rockets are in the market for a center and they are the biggest threat to the Bucks to get Brook Lopez. “There’s a lot of concern about Brook Lopez and the potential for Houston to put a big offer in front of him.” pic.twitter.com/5jcmcBt8US – 2:57 PM
Woj says the #Rockets are in the market for a center and they are the biggest threat to the Bucks to get Brook Lopez. “There’s a lot of concern about Brook Lopez and the potential for Houston to put a big offer in front of him.” pic.twitter.com/5jcmcBt8US – 2:57 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Kings and Rockets are expected to show interest in Kyle Kuzma once free agency begins, per @ChrisBHaynes (bleacherreport.com/articles/10081…).
With Houston likely to spend big on Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, they would need to find a team willing to take on Kevin Porter Jr.’s $15.9… pic.twitter.com/yY9nQfbQjS – 1:38 PM
The Kings and Rockets are expected to show interest in Kyle Kuzma once free agency begins, per @ChrisBHaynes (bleacherreport.com/articles/10081…).
With Houston likely to spend big on Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, they would need to find a team willing to take on Kevin Porter Jr.’s $15.9… pic.twitter.com/yY9nQfbQjS – 1:38 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
We’re live on @RocketsWatch talking about this Kyle Kuzma #Rockets rumor and options if Brook Lopez stays in Milwaukee playback.tv/rocketswatch?s… – 1:36 PM
We’re live on @RocketsWatch talking about this Kyle Kuzma #Rockets rumor and options if Brook Lopez stays in Milwaukee playback.tv/rocketswatch?s… – 1:36 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
It would be a “league-wide surprise” if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t have verbal agreements in place with the Rockets by Friday, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/YjQVuT1l9s – 12:36 PM
It would be a “league-wide surprise” if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t have verbal agreements in place with the Rockets by Friday, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/YjQVuT1l9s – 12:36 PM
John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Just slogged though some CBA! BYC rule was rewritten but is still in there. Would limit a team like Memphis to an $11.4 million TPE (his previous salary) if they did a Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade with his next team and he gets more than a 20% raise on that, which he likely will. – 11:06 AM
Just slogged though some CBA! BYC rule was rewritten but is still in there. Would limit a team like Memphis to an $11.4 million TPE (his previous salary) if they did a Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade with his next team and he gets more than a 20% raise on that, which he likely will. – 11:06 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Rockets are expected to sign Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks tomorrow, per @TheSteinLine (marcstein.substack.com/p/on-several-n…):
“It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike… pic.twitter.com/Yh9icydxD0 – 10:30 AM
The Rockets are expected to sign Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks tomorrow, per @TheSteinLine (marcstein.substack.com/p/on-several-n…):
“It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike… pic.twitter.com/Yh9icydxD0 – 10:30 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
New from @TheSteinLine:
“It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike verbal agreements to join the Houston Rockets by Friday night.
VanVleet is expected to receive… – 10:09 AM
New from @TheSteinLine:
“It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike verbal agreements to join the Houston Rockets by Friday night.
VanVleet is expected to receive… – 10:09 AM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
Prediction before Friday:
Of the deals Houston signs this summer, Dillon Brooks will be the best dollar-for-dollar value and (perhaps) the longest.
He has obvious flaws (detestable shot selection for example), but he’s likely a tad underrated by most people now. – 8:57 PM
Prediction before Friday:
Of the deals Houston signs this summer, Dillon Brooks will be the best dollar-for-dollar value and (perhaps) the longest.
He has obvious flaws (detestable shot selection for example), but he’s likely a tad underrated by most people now. – 8:57 PM
Salman Ali @SalmanAliNBA
New from @TheSteinLine this morning:
“The Rockets want to sign [Fred] VanVleet to a max two-year deal projected at $83.6 million…
…VanVleet and Memphis’ Dillon Brooks continue to be the free agents most frequently billed as Houston-bound this week, with James Harden… – 11:03 AM
New from @TheSteinLine this morning:
“The Rockets want to sign [Fred] VanVleet to a max two-year deal projected at $83.6 million…
…VanVleet and Memphis’ Dillon Brooks continue to be the free agents most frequently billed as Houston-bound this week, with James Harden… – 11:03 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Dillon Brooks continues to be mentioned by league personnel as the top wing on the Rockets’ radar, per @JakeLFischer.
Meanwhile, Brook Lopez ranks as Houston’s primary big man option.
More free agency intel
yhoo.it/3NrYS5V pic.twitter.com/fqnn5zwknr – 3:35 PM
Dillon Brooks continues to be mentioned by league personnel as the top wing on the Rockets’ radar, per @JakeLFischer.
Meanwhile, Brook Lopez ranks as Houston’s primary big man option.
More free agency intel
yhoo.it/3NrYS5V pic.twitter.com/fqnn5zwknr – 3:35 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Significant buzz building around Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks potentially signing with the Rockets.
@TheSteinLine (marcstein.substack.com/p/who-do-the-r…) and @JakeLFischer (sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-free-…) reported today on Houston wanting to sign both once free agency begins.
Houston can afford… pic.twitter.com/CZ69rFsHCS – 1:10 PM
Significant buzz building around Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks potentially signing with the Rockets.
@TheSteinLine (marcstein.substack.com/p/who-do-the-r…) and @JakeLFischer (sports.yahoo.com/2023-nba-free-…) reported today on Houston wanting to sign both once free agency begins.
Houston can afford… pic.twitter.com/CZ69rFsHCS – 1:10 PM
More on this storyline
Among the players L.A. has interest in signing with the non-tax midlevel are Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, sources told ESPN. -via ESPN / June 29, 2023
NBA on ESPN: Brook Lopez has a few thoughts on his free agency decision 😅 (via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/curOnWVweO -via Twitter @ESPNNBA / June 28, 2023
In related news, league sources say that Milwaukee is indeed in a promising position when it comes to re-signing both Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. My sense is that a new deal for Middleton is all but assured at this point, while word is Lopez — despite Houston’s well-chronicled interest and the presumed threat to a Rockets bid would carry — is likewise leaning toward a Bucks return. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 28, 2023
It has reached the point when I speak to various teams that it would be a legitimate leaguewide surprise now if Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks don’t strike verbal agreements to join the Houston Rockets by Friday night. VanVleet, as covered in this cyberspace Wednesday, is expected to receive a two-year offer from Houston worth a projected maximum of $83.6 million. Brooks has been regarded for days as an even likelier free agent to join the Rockets — also on a two-year deal in the $14-to-$16 million range annually — with Houston clearly confident that new coach Ime Udoka and his no-nonsense approach can bring the best out of the bear-poking former Memphis Grizzlies swingman. VanVleet’s would-be job in Space City? Help the Rockets, first and foremost, start changing their culture as a leader and example-setter for a young team. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 29, 2023
While staying with the Raptors still sounds like it’s on the table for both parties, Houston is prepared to offer VanVleet a very competitive deal, while all those whispers about a James Harden return have noticeably decreased in recent weeks. The Rockets, sources said, are considering short-term, high-salary contracts in order to land top-target free agents with their $61 million in cap space. It would take a maximum contract to ultimately lure VanVleet from Toronto, sources said, which would top out at two-years, $80 million. Dillon Brooks continues to be mentioned by league personnel as the top wing on the Rockets’ radar, in addition to Brook Lopez ranking as Houston’s primary big man option. -via Yahoo! Sports / June 27, 2023
More and more as the official start of free agency draws near on Friday at 6 PM ET, league sources say they see Toronto’s Fred VanVleet and Memphis’ Dillon Brooks at the top of a Rockets wish list widely thought to be headlined by former Rockets All-Star James Harden. -via marcstein.substack.com / June 27, 2023