Dillon Brooks has found a new home.
The controversial free agent wing player has agreed to a four-year, $80 million contract to join the Houston Rockets, according to a report. The deal will be a sign-and-trade with Houston.
The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t want to re-sign Brooks after a rocky 2022-23 season and the ends Brooks’ six-year run in Memphis. The Grizzlies reportedly weren’t going to bring Brooks back “under any circumstances” following his sixth season after a series of controversial incidents that culminated during the Grizzlies’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in a second-round playoff series last season.
Brooks created controversy by calling Lakers’ star LeBron James “old” and indicated he didn’t respect the superstar forward following Game 2. He was ejected after hitting James in the groin area during Game 3. He had defensive lapses at critical moments late in the game during the Grizzlies’ 117-111 overtime loss in Game 4. He was fined $25,000 for failing to make himself to the available to the media following each of their three losses in Los Angeles.
He struggled on offense throughout the series, averaging just 10.5 points and shooting 31% from the field, including 24% from three-point range. The numbers occurred despite the Lakers consistently giving him wide open looks.
Brooks led the league with 18 technical fouls, was fined a total of $363,863 during the season (fourth-most in the NBA) and was suspended three times during the regular season.
The controversy and poor play led to the Grizzlies opting to let Brooks walk. He now joins the Rockets as their second big-name free agent acquisition. The Rockets and guard Fred VanVleet agreed to a three-year, $130 million contract.
Brooks reportedly was asked to sacrifice his offense last season. He has said he has more to his offense and he’s considered one of the best wing defenders in the NBA. He was a second-team All-Defensive pick last season.