Three realistic three-point shooters the Rockets should target

The Houston Rockets are coming off a season in which they were one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA for the fourth straight season. They finished at 35.2 percent from beyond the arc, which ranked 23rd in the league. This improved over the 32.7 percent they shot last season, which was dead last.

Yes, it was an improvement last season, and it helped the Rockets to a 41-41 record, but finishing .500 and missing the playoffs was not the Rockets’ goal. To get to the next step in their journey back to the top echelon of the NBA, the Rockets must become a better shooting team. Opponents all season made it a point to go into a 2-3 zone when the Rockets got any momentum on the offensive end.

It would often slow down Houston because they couldn't make outside shots. Yes, adding Tari Eason, one of the Rockets’ best shooters before his injury, will help next season, but the Rockets still need additional shooting.

One thing to remember is that the Rockets will not have as much cap space as last season, but there are moves the team can make to free up space. Jock Landale and Jeff Green are not guaranteed next season, and they could move Jae'Sean Tate, who makes over $8 millon a year and is in the final year of his contract. Also, as currently constructed, the Rockets will not have a lot of minutes to spare even if they move on from players like Tate and Landale.

With the introduction out of the way, here are three role-player free-agent options the Rockets should look into this offseason to improve their outside shooting.

Malik Beasley

Age: 27

2023-24 Salary: $2.7 millon

Malik Beasley is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks and is coming off the best three-point shooting season of his career, considering the only other time he shot better than his 41.3 percent from this season was 2019-20, where he only played in 14 games.

He improved his outside shooting this season and shot over 44 percent overall from the field, his best FG percentage since the 2018-19 season. Also, in year eight, he had his highest-ever effective FG percentage, at almost 60 percent.

He is making a meager $2 millon for the 2023-24 season and will be looking for a pay raise next season. He is not only a three-point shooter but can score off the bounce and occasionally create his shot.

Kendavious Caldwell Pope

Age: 31

2023-24 Salary: $15 million player option

Next on my list is Kendavious Caldwell Pope, having another productive season for the defending champs, shooting over 40 percent from three for the third time in the last four seasons. Pope is probably the most exciting player on the list because he has played with Nikola Jokic for the previous two seasons who has a similar playing style to that of a specific Houston center.

Alperen Sengun has been compared to Jokic on a few occasions.... well, make that a few hundred occasions and having a player like Pope who knows how to play off a dominant center who is also a good passer could bode well for his fit with the Rockets. Caldwell Pope shot 40.6 percent from downtown, and of course, being on the same court with Jokic plays a significant factor in that, but think back to Rockets games this season, and I am sure you remember how many open shots players got when Sengun was on the court.

Of course, Pope could easily accept his player option and stay with Denver next season, but if he were to hit the open market, he is defintely someone the Rockets should consider

Alec Burks

Age 32

2023-24 Salary: $10.4 million

The next player on my list is Alec Burks, who isn't a well-known player but is currently a key contributor to the New York Knicks, who are competing in the first round of the playoffs and, for several years, one of the best shooters in the league. Last season, Burks split time between two teams, and even though he struggled from three-point range with the Knicks, he still finished the season shooting 37 percent from downtown.

One explanation for his struggle with the Knicks is that they play a different style of offense than most teams, and it took Burks some time to adjust. Also, he will get more open looks with the Rockets and fit a more traditional role. For his career, he has been shooting 38.3 percent from deep, and, like Pope, he shouldn't command a high contract like Buddy Hield or Klay Thompson. Also, like Pope, he won’t require a lot of touches or a significant role on the team.

Burks is 32 and did lose his spot in the rotation late in the season, so he is past his prime, but given the Rockets needs, he would be an excellent player to pursue this offseason.

The Rockets go into the offseason on a high note, finishing with their best record in the last four seasons, but they do have some areas to improve, with three-point shooting at the top of the list. The three players in this article are realistic options that can help the Rockets take that next step in 2024-25.