Could the Houston Rockets target Klay Thompson to improve 3-point shooting?

Klay Thompson has been a thorn in the side of the Houston Rockets franchise for years. However, with Thompson likely leaving the Golden State Warriors this summer, the future Hall of Famer should be at the top of the Rockets’ free agency agenda.

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Thompson appears to be getting closer to testing the free agency market but remains far from an extension with the Warriors.

Thompson may not be an All-NBA player who played an integral role in knocking out the Rockets in the mid-to-late 2010s. Still, the veteran shooter is a solid option when it comes to to improve Houston’s shooting.

During the 2023-24 season, Thompson averaged 17.9 points while shooting 38.7% from behind the arc. He would easily take the helm as the Rockets’ best 3-point shooter, considering Fred VanVleet finished the season with the same percentage.

Houston was a below average 3-point shooting team during the season. They shot 35.2 percent from behind the arc, finishing the season ranked 23rd. Although general manager Rafael Stone says he “likes” the current 41-41 roster, improving Houston’s 3-point shooting should be his main focus when revamping the roster for next season .

A source told Inside the Rockets that improving the team’s 3-point shooting would be a “major” point, which coincides with coach Ime Udoka’s desire.

“We expect to shoot better next year without any external changes – an extremely important aspect of shooting is shot selection,” Udoka said in an interview with The Athletic. “

“You can highlight players with equivalent shooting and one guy will shoot 33%, another guy will shoot 43%, because the guy shooting 43% takes much easier shots than the guy shooting 33%. As our team matures and figures out their positions and he plays well, the shooting percentages will increase.”

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