Grading the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons on Free Agency

Dwight Howard reacts after being fouled against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 24, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. The All-Star centre signed with the Rockets. (Getty Images)

Houston Rockets: A

Acquisitions: Dwight Howard, Omri Casspi, Francisco Garcia

It comes as no shock that the Houston Rockets received top marks for the moves they’ve made so far this off-season. They signed the top free agent in the 2013 off-season class and they added two better-than-average perimeter shooters to their ever-improving roster.

Despite his bad back and past shoulder injuries, Dwight Howard is still the best centre in the league, by far. With incredible athleticism, Howard brings a level of defensive intensity to any team; intensity that the offensive-minded Rockets of the past year sorely need.

Howard is also given the chance to become the leader of this Houston squad, an opportunity he was never afforded with the Lakers because of the presence of Kobe Bryant. He has a chance to add his name to the list of great Houston bigs, which featured the likes of Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming.

While Omri Casspi had one breakout year with the Sacramento Kings and Francisco Garcia has never been an above-average player, these two should be able to anchor the second unit with their perimeter shooting.

Having outstanding shooters will allow the Rockets to spread the floor on offense and give Howard the space to operate in the paint. This team will sharply resemble the 2009 Magic team that Howard brought to the NBA finals.

Kevin McHale could place four shooters on the floor with Howard, much like Stan Van Gundy did in Orlando. The only difference is that James Harden is no Jameer Nelson. His talent is greater and his pick-and-roll game should thrive with Howard on the team.

The NBA better watch out, because Houston just became the favourites to compete for the Western Conference title.

Detroit Pistons: C

Acquisitions: Josh Smith

The Detroit Pistons picked up a borderline All-Star, who brings outstanding individual defence. So why do they receive a C? Simple. He isn’t worth a 4-year $54 million deal. As a 27-year old, Josh Smith is entering the back end of his prime and isn’t the athletic monstrosity he used to be.

The old Smith was a solid rebounder and drove the ball hard to the basket. While Smith is still a decent rebounder (he averaged 8.4 last season), he doesn’t drive as he much as he used too; instead settling for those awful long two-pointers that he is steadily gaining a reputation for taking.

The Pistons have a solid frontcourt with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. The reasoning behind taking Smith (who has always been a strong four) is puzzling as Smith shot 72 percent from the restricted area last season and a dismal 31 percent from everywhere else.

If the Pistons play Smith at the three, it will be every opposing team’s dream, as they will give Smith and Monroe all the space they want to take jumpers and focus their defence on more threatening offensive options.

Josh Smith is an excellent player, just not $54 million excellent, and not necessarily a good fit for the Pistons.