Suns
Forward Dillon Brooks says cutting down on technical fouls is high on his to-do list for next season. Speaking with NBAT2 in comments cited by the Arizona Republic, the fiery defender joked that he hopes to avoid collecting 17 technicals, though he admitted the goal may be “easier said than done.”
Brooks, suspended last year after his 16th technical, estimated that “at least half” of his whistles were justified, while some came from the same officials or in moments he now views as avoidable. “Costs my team some wins,” he said, while arguing that his intensity helps shape Phoenix’s identity. The Suns welcomed that edge in his first season, improving defensively and returning to the playoffs.
Rockets
The Rockets believe newly signed guard Marcus Smart can influence games even when he is not scoring. A two-year contract brings the former Defensive Player of the Year back under coach Ime Udoka, who guided him to that award in Boston, columnist Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reported.
Houston envisions Smart as a rugged perimeter stopper and secondary ball-handler while Fred VanVleet recovers from a torn ACL. His arrival, however, crowds a backcourt that already includes Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and rookie Bruce Thornton. Despite limited three-point production, the Rockets are banking on Smart’s leadership, defense and postseason experience to balance any spacing concerns.
Nets
The Nets have reshaped their roster but may not be finished, according to C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News. Brooklyn added Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Moe Wagner and rookie Mikel Brown Jr., bolstering overall talent yet still facing lineup questions.
The most pressing issue is a jammed backcourt, where multiple young guards and veteran options vie for minutes. In the frontcourt, the departure of Nic Claxton leaves the club without an established rim protector, making another trade or signing a realistic possibility before opening night. While deeper than a year ago, the Nets continue searching for the right balance.
Source: Hoops Wire
