Report: Kent Bazemore meets with the Rockets

By Jorge Flores on July 1, 2016

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NBA Free Agency kicked off on July 1, 2016 at exactly 12:01 eastern time and, as expected, news and rumors of teams meeting with players flooded the media. Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that small forward Kent Bazemore is, at the time of this report, in a meeting with a Rockets contingency that includes All-Star guard James Harden. The Vertical also reported that the Rockets would look to secure a deal tonight.

As reported on @TheVertical's show: Kent Bazemore planned to hold off meetings until July 5, but has now entered room with the Rockets.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016

Teams that have inquired with Kent Bazemore's agent since midnight under impression it might take $19M-$20M per year to sign him.

— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 1, 2016

ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that Bazemore is demanding a figure around $19-20 million per year, which means the Rockets would offer a deal along the lines of 4 years/$75 million. In the old NBA, this would be a staggering figure for a role player, but the salary cap has exploded upwards of $20 million compared to last year. It would be a fine deal, even when considering the astronomical number.

Bazemore, who once played for head coach Mike D’Antoni in Los Angeles, checks off all the boxes to what the Rockets are looking for in a wing player – shooting, defense, and chemistry. He’s a player that the Rockets would love to have, and a reunion with Coach D’Antoni would allow Kent to thrive in Houston.

Stay tuned to RedNationHoops.com for updates on the situation.