National Basketball Association

Houston Rockets: Who Will Step Up To Replace Patrick Beverley

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:46 p.m. ET

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The Houston Rockets need to find a replacement for the injured Patrick Beverley; here are some players that could help fill that void.

Mar 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) dribbles the ball in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Houston Rockets by the score of 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets season is off to a tough start before any games are even played. Point guard Patrick Beverley has been dealing with numerous injuries throughout training camp and the preseason.

Beverley first suffered a cut foot that sidelined him and then dealt with knee soreness.

Beverley was able to play in the Rockets’ first preseason game against the Shanghai Sharks. He logged 19 minutes, but then began experiencing knee soreness. He didn’t get back on the court the remainder of the preseason as the soreness persisted.

As a result, Beverley decided to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after meeting with team doctor Walt Lowe Saturday morning.

The surgery will take place Tuesday, and will keep him sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks.

Head coach Mike D’Antoni expects Beverley to miss the first 20 games of the regular season; that would put Beverley in a position to return the first week of December.

That means the Rockets will be without arguably their best perimeter defender for about a quarter of the season, and someone will need to fill his spot in the starting lineup.

While James Harden is taking over as the point guard in D’Antoni’s system, Beverley was still expected to start next to him. Who will now take that spot? It is a role that will take multiple people to fill, as the Rockets do not have a singular player that replicates Beverley’s skill set.

Check out the slideshow breaking down the players that could help replace Beverley’s production.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) attempts to control the ball during a game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon will be the one to replace Patrick Beverley in the starting lineup to start. Gordon was signed as a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans.

From an offensive standpoint, this could be an upgrade. Gordon can create his own offense, as he averages 16.6 points per game in his career. He is also a capable shooter, knocking down 38.3 percent of his attempts from behind the three-point line.

He should benefit from James Harden’s playmaking, but on the defensive end of the court he could struggle.

Gordon has not been regarded as a strong defender in his career, but will now be tasked with defending the best guard on the opposing team. Harden is not a good defender, which is why Beverley complemented him so well.

Gordon finished with a defensive rating of minus-0.40 last season, 40th in the NBA for shooting guards.

The Rockets will have to take the good with the bad with Gordon, as he looks in line to soak up most of Beverley’s playing time.

Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Ennis (11) looks for an open man during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Ennis

The direct backup to Patrick Beverley on the Rockets’ depth chart is Pablo Prigioni. At 39 years old, Prigioni is best fit for a part-time role. With Gordon moving to the starting unit and Beverley’s 30 minutes available, someone will need to help fill those minutes off the bench.

Prigioni should get some, but the Rockets could turn to Tyler Ennis as well.

The Rockets acquired Ennis this summer from the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade that sent Michael Beasley to Milwaukee. Ennis has a chance to carve out a role with the Rockets if given the chance, something he didn’t have with the Phoenix Suns or Bucks previously.

Ennis fits the mold of a prototypical point guard and could flourish in D’Antoni’s system as it is is known to inflate the stats of point guards. Harden is as durable as they come, but even he needs a rest.

The Rockets will have to fill those 10-12 minutes a game he is not on the floor with another ballhandler and playmaker, and that could fall upon Ennis.

At 6-foot-3, Ennis has the size to become a strong defender. That could be his ticket to playing time, as the Rockets need to find someone to replace the defensive prowess of Beverley.

Oct 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) guards Houston Rockets guard K.J. McDaniels (32) during the first quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

K.J. McDaniels

While K.J. McDaniels is a wing player, getting his minutes at shooting guard and small forward, he could find his way onto the court in Beverley’s absence. The Rockets desperately need someone to replace Beverley’s ability to play defense, and McDaniels could fill that role.

D’Antoni wants McDaniels to become a defensive stopper with the ability to defend both guard spots and small forward. He could see significant minutes as a result, despite struggling at times during the preseason.

“He’s [McDaniels] up and down,” D’Antoni said after the preseason finale against the Spurs Friday night.

Despite those struggles, he has the most defensive potential of anyone on this list. D’Antoni has never emphasized defense, so finding players that are capable of doing it is a must.

McDaniels stands 6-foot-6 inches and is extremely athletic. He has the skill set and athleticism to succeed on the defensive side of the ball. If he can show he has improved offensively, there should be minutes available to him.

Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Bobby Brown (8) shoots the ball as San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Patricio Garino (29) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Bobby Brown

Brown is a 32-year-old veteran that has only had cups of coffee in the NBA during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. He played in only 113 games, but has made a name for himself on the international stage.

Brown has played in a number of countries, including Germany, Greece, Poland, Italy, China and Turkey. He has always been a player that NBA teams kept an eye on, but nothing materialized.

Brown is not the same player that he was during his last stint in the NBA, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Being the veteran that he is, Brown knows what he can bring to the team. Also, having an endorsement from James Harden doesn’t hurt.

“It means a lot,” Brown said of Harden following a 114-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, when he scored 23 points and had nine assists. “He has trust in me as far as my game, he knows the type of person I am. I’m a team guy. It’s just our overall camaraderie together — me, him and Trevor [Ariza]. We’re all like best friends because we’re all from L.A. We know how to take care of each other, take criticism from each other, tell them what they don’t want to hear, and they can live with it. It means a lot coming from the best point guard/2-guard in the league.”

Brown received a real shot to showcase his talent and delivered. D’Antoni gave him 31 minutes in that game and Brown responded with a strong 23 points and nine assists. That could be enough to get him on the roster, as he is someone Harden likes.

Brown believes that this system fits his game perfectly and that he can fit into any role the Rockets give him. He may not get consistent minutes, but he is okay with that because he knows what he would have to do in those minutes.