5 Houston Rockets Who Should Be Shown the Door This Offseason

5 Houston Rockets Who Should Be Shown the Door This Offseason

By Derek McVay

July 6, 2015

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5 Houston Rockets Who Should Be Shown the Door This Offseason

James Harden - Dwight Howard — The Houston Rockets battled through a lot of injuries last year that forced players to take on expanded roles. With presumably a fully healthy roster heading into this year, the roles and value of those players will likely diminish. With a current roster that is pretty balanced between old and young players, it's time for the Rockets to move on from some of these veterans and give the younger players an opportunity to develop.

The Houston Rockets battled through a lot of injuries last year that forced players to take on expanded roles. With presumably a fully healthy roster heading into this year, the roles and value of those players will likely diminish. With a current roster that is pretty balanced between old and young players, it's time for the Rockets to move on from some of these veterans and give the younger players an opportunity to develop.

5. Joey Dorsey

Joey Dorsey - Houston Rockets

5. Joey Dorsey

Joey Dorsey - Houston Rockets — Dorsey saw limited playing time last year. His minutes came in spurts and he was sort of a last resort option for the Rockets. The injuries to Houston's big men helped Dorsey earn more minutes than he really deserves. He provides little to no offense, but rather he is used for his rebounding and defense. However, with some strong play by Clint Capela in the postseason, he may be ready for a bigger role next year making Dorsey dead weight.

Dorsey saw limited playing time last year. His minutes came in spurts and he was sort of a last resort option for the Rockets. The injuries to Houston's big men helped Dorsey earn more minutes than he really deserves. He provides little to no offense, but rather he is used for his rebounding and defense. However, with some strong play by Clint Capela in the postseason, he may be ready for a bigger role next year making Dorsey dead weight.

4. Jason Terry

Jason Terry - Houston Rockets

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4. Jason Terry

Jason Terry - Houston Rockets — Terry was strong during the playoffs, but with the return of a healthy Patrick Beverley, his minutes will be reduced. He'll be 38 at the start of next season and doesn't play much defense. Statistically speaking, last season was one of Terry's worst in his career. With Houston's deep playoff run last year, an experienced vet like Terry isn't as valuable. With Dallas rumored to be interested in him, Houston should step aside and let him go.

Terry was strong during the playoffs, but with the return of a healthy Patrick Beverley, his minutes will be reduced. He'll be 38 at the start of next season and doesn't play much defense. Statistically speaking, last season was one of Terry's worst in his career. With Houston's deep playoff run last year, an experienced vet like Terry isn't as valuable. With Dallas rumored to be interested in him, Houston should step aside and let him go.

3. Pablo Prigioni

Pablo Prigioni - Houston Rockets

3. Pablo Prigioni

Pablo Prigioni - Houston Rockets — Prigioni is another guy who benefited from the absence of Patrick Beverley as he likely would not have received as much playing time were he healthy. At 38 years old, Prigioni is also another aging point guard on Houston's roster, but he only has three years of NBA experience. The Rockets would be better served giving Prigioni's minutes to young players like K.J. McDaniels and Nick Johnson to give them the opportunity to develop.

Prigioni is another guy who benefited from the absence of Patrick Beverley as he likely would not have received as much playing time were he healthy. At 38 years old, Prigioni is also another aging point guard on Houston's roster, but he only has three years of NBA experience. The Rockets would be better served giving Prigioni's minutes to young players like K.J. McDaniels and Nick Johnson to give them the opportunity to develop.

2. Donatas Motiejunas

Donatas Motiejunas - Houston Rockets

2. Donatas Motiejunas

Donatas Motiejunas - Houston Rockets — Motiejunas will be coming off a season-ending back injury, and despite a successful surgery, there is potential for it to flare up again in the future. Fortunately for Houston, they have great frontcourt depth. Motiejunas came on strong last year and really thrived with an increased role. Terrence Jones has a bit more athleticism and is a better shot blocker. Houston should lock up Jones long term and try to move Motiejunas.

Motiejunas will be coming off a season-ending back injury, and despite a successful surgery, there is potential for it to flare up again in the future. Fortunately for Houston, they have great frontcourt depth. Motiejunas came on strong last year and really thrived with an increased role. Terrence Jones has a bit more athleticism and is a better shot blocker. Houston should lock up Jones long term and try to move Motiejunas.

1. Josh Smith

Josh Smith - Houston Rockets

1. Josh Smith

Josh Smith - Houston Rockets — Smith actually played pretty well during his limited time with the Rockets. However, having him for a full season may be a different story. There's a reason he has never appeared in the NBA Finals, and it's not because his teams lacked talent. Smith is a selfish player who consistently tries to do things that are a little out of his skill set, most notably shoot the three. Houston should move on from Smith and give his minutes to younger talent.

Smith actually played pretty well during his limited time with the Rockets. However, having him for a full season may be a different story. There's a reason he has never appeared in the NBA Finals, and it's not because his teams lacked talent. Smith is a selfish player who consistently tries to do things that are a little out of his skill set, most notably shoot the three. Houston should move on from Smith and give his minutes to younger talent.

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