The 2019 NBA All-Star game will be played this weekend at the home of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Yes, Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan will roll out the red carpet for athletes of all sports, entertainers, and business people. This weekend will also be a time of reflection and catching up with family for those NBA players who will not be in attendance. And last but not least, it will be a chance for fans to wonder what their team will do to improve on the second half of the season.

That is the looming question for Rockets’ fans as they wait to see what magic trick general manager Daryl Morey will perform to get Houston over the hump. With the addition of shooting guard Iman Shumpert on last week and Kenneth Faried, the Rockets are in a position to make one more move to hopefully get them into contention to compete with teams like Golden State, Denver, and Oklahoma City.

“We’ve already added Austin Rivers and Manimal–he actually likes to be called Manimal, so I go with that (Kenneth Faried). And then adding (Iman) Shumpert. Our goal all year was to be a better team going into the playoffs. Obviously, we haven’t played as well as last year’s team, but once we get Clint (Capela) back, get Shumpert integrated, add some of the key guys, then I think we feel very good about being stronger going into the playoffs this year,” said Morey when questioned about key acquisitions for Houston.

Currently, there are only 12 players under contract for Houston. That’s excluding Vincent Edwards and Daniel House who are playing in the G-League. According to the CBA rules, the Rockets will need to fill two roster spots within the next two weeks. The rule states that at least 14 players must be paid NBA salaries.

Some players that Houston could benefit by bringing them on to the team includes New Orleans Pelicans forward Markieff Morris, Los Angeles Clippers center Marcin Gortat, and Brooklyn Nets center Greg Monroe. They would fit perfectly in a Mike D’Antoni ran system because they don’t require a lot of touches and would be great role players to play alongside James Harden and Chris Paul.

Morris is currently seeking a second opinion on an injury he suffered last month to his neck that will keep him out for up to six weeks. When healthy he is averaging 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds and shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc which would be a great addition to Houston’s second unit.

Either Gortat or Monroe would be great in a back-up role to starting center Clint Capela. They are both players who thrive on the offensive end and are very good rebounders. One thing that might give Morey some reservations about bringing them to the team would be their limited ability on the defensive end.

All in all, it will be interesting to see what is going to transpire with 25 games left in the season. I myself have no doubt that Morey will find some help for Houston as they want to get back to the Western Conference Finals again. Getting help for Harden may just do that.