Dillon Brooks Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Rockets reportedly locking in on controversial free agent

By Sean Keane | Last updated 6/29/23

Memphis had enough of Dillon Brooks’ antics. Houston apparetly thinks it can handle them for two years.

Brooks has been linked to the Rockets for weeks, and now NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the All-Defensive Second Team wing is expected to sign “a two-year deal in the $14-to-$16 million range annually.”

While Brooks was a strong defender for Memphis, he also got suspended three different times last season. Two were for excessive technicals fouls — he finished with 18. One was for hitting Donovan Mitchell in the groin and sparking a fight.

Damn, that’s as dirty of a move as it gets from Dillon Brooks. Rolls over onto his ankles, and go for the nut punch on Donovan Mitchell. Wtf. #Cavs pic.twitter.com/KGxkZNDjf3
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) February 3, 2023

Brooks also drew a fine for shoving a cameraman during a game in Miami.

Dillon Brooks has been fined $35K for shoving this cameraman ‍ pic.twitter.com/g6NJXTEFd9
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) March 17, 2023

He also got ejected from a playoff game this year for hitting LeBron James in the groin, a year after he got an ejection and a one-game suspension for breaking Gary Payton II’s elbow.

That, plus Brooks’ precipitous shooting decline — he’s shot 32.1 percent from behind the three-point arc in the last two seasons — made the Grizzlies decide Brooks had to go. However, the young Rockets value Brooks’ defense and toughness enough that they’re willing to risk the collateral damage.

Plus, it’s reportedly only a two-year commitment. Like the two-year contract reportedly pending for Fred VanVleet, the deal uses Houston’s cap space while preserving room for two years from now, when some of Houston’s cheap young players are going to get long-term, not-so-cheap contracts.

It’s a gamble, but on such a short deal, the Rockets can always jettison Brooks if it goes badly — or just wait and let the NBA suspend Brooks for them.

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