Free-agent misses have been blessings in disguise for Rockets

But once the Rockets hired Ime Udoka as their head coach, the chances of Harden returning to Houston went to zero.

The result? Harden opted into his contract, and had a four-month stalemate with the 76ers before getting traded to the Clippers — who have gone 0-4 since he arrived. 

Friday was the low point, with the Dallas Mavericks delivering a 69-25 run on their way to a 144-126 victory, taking advantage of Harden all the way.

They also dodged a bullet with another free-agent target.

In early July, the Rockets thought they had an agreement to sign free-agent center Brook Lopez, who decided at the last minute to return to the Milwaukee Bucks instead. 

This, after the Rockets traded two second-round picks and $1.1M to dump the contracts of TyTy Washington, Jr. and Usman Garuba to clear cap space for Lopez.

Instead, the Rockets stuck with 21-year-old center Alperen Sengun, who has been a revelation in his third season. He's averaging 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and six assists while shooting 60%. 

He's also getting it done on defense, even against the reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, when Houston beat Denver on Sunday night.

The Rockets are giving up the third-fewest points in the league. Lopez's Bucks are giving up the sixth-most. 

Free agency may not have gone the way Houston planned, but they ended up with a much better, younger team as a result.