Despite getting the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, the Rockets bowed out in round one to their old nemesis, the Warriors. Given the loss was almost entirely due to offensive anemia in the series, there are plenty of questions that will linger into the offseason.
GM Rafael Stone has said that they don’t expect major changes this summer. The best bet is on a return of the team’s core with perhaps a minor addition, hopefully of someone who can shoot. But, because they do have so many young talented assets and quality draft picks, the Rockets might be better positioned than any team in the NBA to make a splash before the start of next season. Let’s explore their options.
Hold the line.
Outside of a few veterans, this is a very young team with a lot of growing to do. There is a solid argument to be made the Rockets should allow the process to continue at least one more season. This young core has tasted the postseason for the first time and showed they can compete at the highest levels. Another season could see them move up yet again. If not, they can decide after next season what to do. This plan would include signing Fred VanVleet to a longer deal worth less per year and bringing back Steven Adams.
Odds: 50/50
Add additional youth/talent.
Believe it or not, even with all the youth they have added the last four years, this team has a lottery pick yet again that could go even higher than the nine spot where they are currently slotted. Unlike the last draft considered by many to be a very down year, this summer’s draft is loaded with talent. If they Rockets were to land a top five pick, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them capitalize on it by either taking a talented rookie or turning the pick into some added talent. This would preserve the roster as is, but boost it with some new faces. They could also use their mid-level exception on a veteran shooter.
Odds: 60/40
Make a mid-sized deal to improve the roster.
This is where things could get interesting. Any deal to move one of their core players would be risky, but could net them a potentially big return. The one option many have discussed already is a deal for Devin Booker, who Phoenix is saying they won’t trade. But the Rockets own draft pick swaps with Phoenix that will prove very valuable. Moving those back to Phoenix along with say Cam Whitmore and Jalen Green might be a starting point for negotiations. This kind of deal isn’t without risks. How will any big name new player adjust and does it even address all their issues? But, that’s why you take that chance if you think this kind of move could take you from first round exit to legit contender.
Odds: 40/60
Swing for the fences.
Online speculators have pointed out that the Rockets have a mix of draft picks and young talent to make a big swing for a superstar player like Giannis Antetokounmpo. This would absolutely be a franchise-altering decision for the Rockets, the first deal of its kind since moving on from James Harden. No huge deals are easy, but the combination of Green, Whitmore, Jabari Smith, Jr. and draft picks could certainly get the attention of most teams. But Stone has been careful to say he wanted to not just try and preserve their core of talent, but the team’s depth, which a deal of this order of magnitude would certainly eat into. Like most star studded NBA deals, they aren’t easy to make, but they can happen and the Rockets have been involved in their fair share.
Odds: 20/80
