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Report: Rockets have had 'zero discussions' with Patrick Beverley

Soobum Im / Reuters

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Despite Spanish point guard Sergio Llull's decision to spurn the Houston Rockets' overtures, general manager Daryl Morey isn't scrambling.

Morey and the Rockets have been quiet, waiting patiently for the outcome of the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes. As he waits, Morey's own free agents remain in the dark.

Most notably, Morey and management have had "zero discussions" with point guard Patrick Beverley on a potential contract, a person familiar with the situation told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Feigen also reports that they're not in the mix for swingman Corey Brewer, either.

Waiting on Beverley and Brewer risks another team swooping in while the Rockets wait on Aldridge. They both played integral roles in the Rockets' 56-win season, and while sacrifices need to be made should Aldridge opt for Houston, it's still a risky strategy.

The Rockets have Trevor Ariza to soften the blow of losing Brewer, but they have no other point guards of Beverley's caliber. Veterans like Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry have seen too many battles, while second-year guard Nick Johnson has seen too few. Losing Beverley to a team like the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, or Cleveland Cavaliers (who are rumored to be Beverley suitors) could be devastating.

Beverley is a restricted free agent, so the Rockets could match and keep him, but the market for free agents is bordering on overheating and a team with an excess of cap space could price Beverley out of the Rockets' budget.

Then again, Morey has a penchant for finding diamonds in the rough. Beverley was a D-League player when Houston snagged him. Morey also nabbed Brewer in a mid-season trade for spare second-round picks. If he has to, Morey has shown the ability to find serviceable players on the cheap.

But there is pressure on Morey. Following a Western Conference Finals loss, superstar James Harden bemoaned the team's lack of playmaking, which tracks back to Houston's woeful depth at point guard. Beverley might not fit the bill, but he can at least alleviate some of the defensive duties from Harden, while having the ability to spot up and functionally run the pick-and-roll.

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