There has been a lot of talk about Houstonthe ability to have financial space under the NBA salary cap during the 2025 offseason. Some reports have indicated that Rockets could be under the ceiling by up to $69 millionwhich would open the way to signing a player at the maximum salary, and even more.
But these types of extreme scenarios require giving up the “hood maintenance” for fourth-year prospect Jalen Green and possibly Alperen Sengun as well. From there, at least one of them would likely join another team in free agency in 2025, since having no salary cap space would lead to unrestricted free agency and Houston wouldn’t have matching rights. Keep in mind that in such a scenario, the Rockets’ motivation to open up all that salary space would be for external roster additions, since they could simply conserve salary cap space if the plan was to spend internally.
However, a more balanced scenario could be possible in which the Rockets attempt to free up salary cap space while retaining Sengun and Green’s salary cap space. What would that look like and who could they target? ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gives some details in his latest column on the Rockets:
In reality, the Rockets could have salary cap space in the $30 million range, with cap space for Green and Sengun as restricted free agents. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently explained, salary cap space will be tight next summer.
That leaves Houston as a potential spoiler as teams consider extending their potential star-level free agents. In particular, Denver Nuggets One thing to keep an eye on is the Rockets, who could try to acquire forward Aaron Gordon if he fails to secure an extension before his 2025-26 player option.
Gordon’s current contract includes a $22.8 million player option through 2025-26, so a pay raise in the $30 million per year range (and for more guaranteed years) could be a significant incentive to entice him out of Denver. It’s worth noting that growing payroll concerns played a role in the Nuggets allowing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, another valuable role player, to join Denver. sign with the Orlando Magic this offseason.
Still, it’s not easy for Houston to create that kind of financial wiggle room. The Rockets would have to decline the team’s option for 2025-26, for example. on Fred VanVleet’s contract. But if Houston believes Amen Thompson and/or Reed Sheppard are ready to take over the point guard role full-time, Gordon might be a better candidate for the job. At 28, he’s also a few years younger than the 30-year-old VanVleet.
A 6-foot-10 forward, Gordon averaged 14.5 points (54.2% shooting, 32.1% from 3-point range), 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 30.6 minutes per game over his four seasons with the Nuggets. Gordon’s defensive versatility made him a key role player alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, as evidenced by his key role in Denver’s run to the 2023 NBA title.
It should be noted that the Rockets reportedly had trade interest in Gordon. in early 2021That’s when he finally left the Magic for the Nuggets. Even though that rumor of interest dates back more than three years, Rafael Stone remains in place as the Rockets’ general manager, which could indicate a baseline level of interest in Gordon as a player.
There’s certainly a long way to go between September 2024 and the opening of free agency in June 2025, but it’s a story to watch for both teams as the 2024-25 season progresses.
More: The Athletic: Rockets are the NBA’s most compelling franchise for the 2025 offseason
This article was originally published on Rockets Wire: ESPN names Aaron Gordon as potential free agency target for Rockets