Could the Houston Rockets add more shooting with a free agent signing?

The Houston Rockets still have room to improve this offseason, if they choose to do so.

Last season, the Rockets went 41-41, good for 11th place in the Western Conference, after adding Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to their young core.

It’s no secret that Houston is trying to retain and develop its young core, but they’re also eager to get back to the playoffs for the first time since James Harden left. They can count on free agency to add another player to their current core without parting with any young talent.

The Rockets could target Gary Trent Jr., a player who fits the team’s current profile quite well. There’s only one problem with that potential signing: The team currently has a playable guard rotation that sits at four. VanVleet, Jalen Green, Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson make up a solid backline, but Trent Jr. could add more playmaking to the defense, even if the Rockets would have to stretch their guard rotation and play small at times.

The Rockets now have several options to try to make such a deal happen. They have their mid-level exception and some cap space to use or they could even use a trade — including a player like Jock Landale who would end up buried in the rotation — to make the finances work.

The 25-year-old forward averaged 13.7 points per game with the Toronto Raptors, the lowest average in his three and a half seasons with the team. It may be time for him to move on, and the Rockets are giving him the opportunity to play in the playoffs while playing in the team’s young core, fitting the mold of a two-year player.

It will be very interesting to see how Houston handles the second half of free agency after a slow first week.

READ MORE: Assessing the Rockets’ salary cap situation this offseason

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the rockets on Facebook and Follow us on twitter to stay up to date with all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the cover.