The Houston Rockets want to retain both of their restricted free agents (Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry) this summer. That’s just the start of things as the Rockets want to improve the roster likely through a sign and trade deal. They likely will have Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier and Jared Jeffries all on the trading block. I also have a feeling that the Rockets will listen if the Nuggets call about Carmelo Anthony who is on the trading block. The Rockets might look for a center with legit size like Zydrunas Ilgauskas to back up Yao Ming in case he has more foot problems. It should be a very interesting summer to keep an eye on the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets have selected SF/PF Patrick Patterson with the 14th overall pick of the NBA Draft. Patterson played in 38 games (all starts) for Kentucky in which he averaged 14.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Patterson played in 97 games (all starts) in his three years with the Rockets and he averaged 16.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game. Patterson gives the Rockets another outstanding athlete who can run the court with the best of them.

The Rockets have a good team set for the 2010-11 season except they have a big hole in the middle. Even if Yao Ming comes back the Rockets would benefit from having a legit center to back him up and learn from him. Kentucky’s Daniel Orton or Marshall’s Hassan Whitside make the most sense for the Rockets at #14 overall. If a legit center is not available then the Rockets should just take the best player left unless it’s a point guard.

With so many teams clearing out cap space this summer it will likely make 30-year old Luis Scola a nice prize for a team that misses out on the prime free agents. With that in mind the Rockets are likely going to have to ante up to bring him back and that they should. Scola played in 82 games (all starts) for the Rockets last season and he averaged 32.6 minutes, 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He has now played in 246 games (203 starts) in his three years with the Rockets and he is averaging 29.2 minutes, 13.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. With Yao Ming still a little iffy and injury prone the Rockets can’t afford to let Scola get away, period!

The Rockets have three unrestricted free agents and two restricted free agents and they will likely have to ante up for at least three of them. Yao Ming has a early termination option but he won’t be exercising that as he hasn’t played in a while and he seems to like Houston. F/C Chuck Hayes has a team option for this season and I think the Rockets will pick it up as he is a solid insurance policy inside. Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry are both restricted free agents. I see the Rockets without a doubt matching anything Scola gets offered but Lowry will only come back if the price isn’t too out of whack. SF Jared Jeffries has a early termination option in his contract and he might just exercise it. The Rockets might not care if he leaves.