According to sources, Dillon Brooks joins Houston Rockets on Four-Year Agreement

Houston Rockets to sign controversial forward Dillon Brooks to $80M contract.

The Houston Rockets are on the verge of signing former Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks to a lucrative four-year, $80 million contract, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. This move comes as no surprise, considering Brooks' reputation as one of the NBA's most controversial players.

Last season, Brooks lived up to his nickname, "Dillon the Villain," with his on-court antics and confrontations. He accumulated a staggering 18 technical fouls, the second-highest in the league, trailing only the Warriors' Draymond Green. Furthermore, he was fined $25,000 for refusing to speak with the media during the Grizzlies' playoff series against the Lakers. In a separate incident, he was suspended and fined $78,621 for hitting the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell in the groin.

Brooks didn't shy away from making headlines off the court either. He infamously insulted Lakers superstar LeBron James during the postseason, calling him "old" and claiming he was no longer at the same level as he was in his championship-winning days with Cleveland and Miami. However, James had the last laugh as the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in six games.

Following the conclusion of Memphis' season, the team made it clear to Brooks that he would not be brought back under any circumstances, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. This decision was likely influenced by his controversial behavior and the negative attention it brought to the organization.

Despite his off-court controversies, Brooks brings a strong defensive presence to the Rockets, who are in the process of rebuilding under new head coach Ime Udoka. Last season, Brooks was recognized for his defensive skills and earned All-NBA Defensive second-team honors. His addition should immediately bolster Houston's defense, which ranked 29th in the league last season and was the worst in the 2021-22 campaign.

Udoka, who previously served as an assistant coach with the Celtics, is known for instilling a strong defensive mindset in his teams. With Brooks on board, the Rockets have a solid foundation to build upon heading into the upcoming season.

In terms of offensive production, Brooks' numbers took a dip last season. He averaged 14.3 points per game while shooting a career-low 39.6% from the field during the regular season. In the playoff series against the Lakers, his scoring further declined to 10.5 points per game, accompanied by a career-worst postseason field-goal percentage of 31.2%.

Nevertheless, the Rockets are banking on Brooks' defensive prowess and believe that he can contribute significantly to the team's success. With his signing, Houston aims to improve its overall performance and establish a stronger defensive presence on the court. Only time will tell if this move pays off for the Rockets in the long run.

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