The Houston Rockets have been busy this off-season. Despite missing on acquiring Lakers forward Pau Gasol in the original Chris Paul to the Lakers trade, the Rockets remained patient and came to an agreement with nine-year NBA veteran C Samuel Dalembert. The Rockets have big plans for the upcoming season and some new faces in Houston with Rick Adelman, Chuck Hayes and Yao Ming no longer in town.
Dalembert, 30, a former first round draft pick in 2001 by the 76ers spent his first eight seasons in Philadelphia and last season with the Sacramento Kings. At 6'11" Dalembert provides first year Rockets Head Coach Kevin McHale with a solid force in the middle of the paint and a veteran presence for the youth that is Jordan Hill and Marcus Morris.
Dalembert for his career is averaging 8.1 points per game to go along with 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game and has started 537 of 662 games in which he has played.
In a very deep Western Conference with talented big men (Gasol, Zach Randolph, Dirk Nowitzki, Andrew Bynum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson) the Dalembert add makes a ton of sense. Rockets fans should be happy with this move. Dalembert should start alongside projected starters Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Chase Budinger.