After a tumultuous closeout to the 2022-23 season, Dillon Brooks' tenure in Memphis has reached its inevitable conclusion. The defensive-minded wing has agreed on a four-year, $80 million contract with the Houston Rockets, agent Mike George tells ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Free agent G Dillon Brooks has agreed on a four-year, $80 million contract with the Houston Rockets, his agent Mike George of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN. Rockets have now landed two targets in free agency — Fred VanVleet and Brooks. pic.twitter.com/dJHLWvwFjX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
The move comes after the Grizzlies informed Brooks he would not be brought back "under any circumstances" during exit meetings following the team's first-round playoff elimination, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Brooks, 27, was the longest-tenured player on Memphis' roster, playing all six of his NBA seasons with the Grizzlies. Selected No. 45 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Brooks is a career 14.5-point-per-game scorer whose defensive prowess was a core attribute in Memphis' rise up the Western Conference rankings in recent seasons. However, his limitations offensively — shot a career-worst 39.6% from the field in 2022-23 — and polarizing personality was ultimately too much to stomach for Grizzlies brass.
"I don't care. He's old. ... I don't respect no one until they come and give me 40."
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2023
Dillon Brooks on his exchange with LeBron
(via @espn_macmahon)pic.twitter.com/P5yNF2c1pT
Brooks is the second big-money addition the Rockets have netted in free agency. The team signed star point guard Fred VanVleet to a $130M contract on Friday, the richest deal for an undrafted player in NBA history. The well-paid duo gives Houston some much-needed veteran presence to complement a young, yet talented roster featuring Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and more.
Free agent G Fred VanVleet has agreed on a three-year, $130 million contract with the Houston Rockets, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul and agent Erika Ruiz tell ESPN. Rockets land ex-Raptors All-Star in his prime at 29 years old. pic.twitter.com/B6WwPmLYq1
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
The Rockets have not reached the playoffs since 2019-20. On the other hand, Brooks helped Memphis advance to the postseason in three consecutive seasons, while VanVleet won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19.
Houston is still likely a few seasons away from truly competing in the West. However, the hiring of coach Ime Udoka and veteran additions such as Brooks and VanVleet should have the Rockets on the cusp of postseason play sooner rather than later.
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