No one really expected the Rockets to make major moves this offseason. That was for last summer when they traded for Kevin Durant. Still, there were holes to fill on the roster and GM Rafael Stone has largely done that including signing Tari Eason to a five-year, $81.5 million contract. Does it mean the roster we are looking at now is the one we’ll see going into training camp?
Maybe, but let’s break down the roster to find out based on who is expected to make the team.
Guards
Fred VanVleet
Reed Sheppard
Marcus Smart (signed)
Bruce Thornton (rookie)
J.D. Davidson
No part of the team was more scrutinized last year with Sheppard and Amen Thompson having to share point guard duties, while the best option off the bench was Aaron Holiday thanks to the injury to VanVleet. With Thompson back to his normal spot on the wing, Sheppard will be challenged by Smart for playing time. The team traded up to draft Thornton, a four-year starter and reliable ball handler, and brings back Davidson, who played sparingly last season. Not only should that motivate Sheppard to improve, but it provides insurance in case VanVleet is not 100 percent in time for camp.
Keep in mind that Smart was a starter for the Lakers last year. His defense will make him invaluable to Coach Ime Udoka, and his experience handling the ball after last year’s turnover fest will be welcome. If VanVleet does make a full recovery, this could become a very solid group.
Wings
Amen Thompson
Kevin Durant
Tari Eason
Jabari Smith, Jr.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (signed)
Isiah Crawford
The clear strength of the team, the Rockets aimed to at least add some scoring potential in Bogdanovic, a solid distance shooter and an upgrade from Dorian Finney-Smith. Durant had to do so much heavy lifting and was remarkably healthy, anything they can add is a bonus. Thompson still needs to improve his shooting, but he’s a terrific weapon, and bringing back Eason will help keep this defense close to the top of the league.
Smith is the wild card here. He showed improvement throughout the season, particularly his shooting, and he was a weapon at times in the playoffs. If he can make another leap forward this year, it will be a huge help for a team that is bound to deal with injuries given the age of some of their key players.
Big Men
Alperen Sengun
Steven Adams
Clint Capela
Losing Adams turned out to be a much bigger blow than many thought. His defensive presence and the fact that he is perhaps the best offensive rebounder in basketball were impossible to replicate. While Capela did what he could, particularly as a weak side shot blocker, he doesn’t have the strength or toughness Adams could provide.
We leave Sengun to last because he is such a polarizing figure among fans. His offensive tools are splendid and he continues to grow as a distance shooter (a huge key for him going into this season, in our opinion), but his defensive shortcomings became noticeable at times, especially in the postseason. As wildly talented as he is and important to the roster as a whole, he needs great defenders like Adams around him to stay healthy.
