The Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a deal to sign and trade Dillon Brooks’ new deal with the Houston Rockets, league sources told The Athletic on Saturday. The Rockets and Brooks have agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal, according to league sources. Here’s what you need to know:
Brooks was selected to the NBA All-Defense Second Team last season with the Grizzlies.
The 27-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 2022-23.
Brooks’ deal comes a day after the Rockets and base guard Fred VanVleet reached an agreement, team sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Instant Athletic Analysis:
What you get houston at brooks
In Brooks, whom the Rockets have internally identified as the winger’s main target for weeks, Houston has added a tenacious and versatile defender who instantly raises the defensive floor and ceiling for this young core. Coach Ime Udoka has been looking for veterans who can really galvanize an inexperienced locker room and the combination of Brooks and VanVleet is no doubt starting to turn the Rockets from league bottom feeders into respectable.
Brooks, who was recently named second-team All-Defense, is certainly coming up with offensive quests after a year of landing in Memphis, but on the other side of the ball, Udoka will unleash his unique skill set, deploying him in a number of coverages and assigning him with line leadership. With VanVleet now firmly in place as the team’s primary ballplayer, perhaps Brooks’ efficiency in catching and shooting could be improved.
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