Report: Dillon Brooks is a ‘realistic’ option to join the Houston Rockets

Although Dillon Brooks’ time with the Memphis Grizzlies appears to be over, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to have too much trouble finding another home in the NBA.

According to a report, Brooks is a target for the Houston Rockets. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“On the wing, the Rockets do hold an interest in sharpshooter Cam Johnson, sources said, although Brooklyn personnel has indicated the [Brooklyn] Nets’ plan to match any realistic offer sheet for the restricted free agent, who was part of the franchise’s return for Kevin Durant,” wrote NBA insider Jake Fischer. “Dillons Brooks, last seen as Memphis’ starting small forward, is another Rockets target, sources told Yahoo Sports, and appears to be a more realistic candidate to join Houston this summer.”

Brooks is likely to make noise wherever he goes thanks to his reputation as a villain around the NBA. While many fans don’t seem to take him seriously, he still has value in the league, especially as a defender.

The 27-year-old was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team this season, giving him perhaps the most impressive accolade of his professional career so far.

Brooks doesn’t bring a lot to the table on the offense and may be better suited in a role that sees him take a back seat on that end of the floor. He posted a usage percentage of 21.8 this season, a pretty high mark given that he shot just 39.6 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from deep.

Being an effective 3-and-D player is perhaps a good goal for Brooks, but his 3-point shot is going to need to become more consistent. He has shot just 32.1 percent from deep since the start of the 2021-22 season. To his credit, his career mark of 34.2 percent is a bit better.

The Rockets are entering a fresh era with Ime Udoka at head coach, and evidently, Brooks could be part of the team’s new chapter. It figures to be an eventful offseason for the organization.

Some NBA scouts have expressed the belief that Brooks makes sense for Houston, so there certainly seems to be some smoke connecting the wing to the Rockets. Whether or not he ultimately ends up with the team is a question that will be answered in the offseason.