Houston Rockets Offseason Overview
After another disappointing season, the Houston Rockets will miss the playoffs. They have been trying to rebuild since the James Harden days, and have some young pieces they can build around.
John Wall has a player option after this season, it will be interesting to see if he chooses the 47 million dollars or a new contract where he can contribute to a team. There have been trade rumors surrounding Wall throughout his Rockets tenure.
It is clear Wall is not someone the Rockets see as a part of their future as he doesn’t fit their timeline.
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The Future In Houston
The Rockets used their number two overall pick last year on Jalen Green. He is averaging about 16 points per game, pretty solid for a rookie. There is a lot for Rockets fans to be excited about with Green, he plays with a ton of energy and can throw down some electrifying dunks.
Next to Green, the Rockets have Kevin Porter Jr., another athletic scoring guard. KPJ was drafted by Cleveland in 2019 and just did not fit on the team with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland also in the backcourt.
Who Needs To Stay In Houston?
Jalen Green, Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr, Alperen Sengun. That’s it. Now obviously, if an opportunity for a young superstar arises they should put anyone on the table in trade offers, but if they are looking to build with players already in Houston, these are their guys.
Green and Porter Jr. have the potential to be an offensive powerhouse in the future.
Christian Wood and Sengun are solid young big men. Wood has shined since he joined the Rockets, averaging 18 and 10 this season. He has taken a small step back this season compared to last, but the Rockets should absolutely be keeping him around.
Sengun is an interesting prospect, he has shown flashes this season, and he is just 19 years old. Power forwards and centers tend to take a little longer to get in their groove in today’s NBA, look at Jokic, Embiid, Giannis.
Now I’m not saying Sengun will be an MVP candidate at any point in his career, but it does not hurt to keep him around and see what he can turn into.
2022 Free Agent Targets
This free agency class is very guard-heavy, Harden, Westbrook, Beal, Kyrie. The Rockets aren’t in need of guards right now. They should be targeting vets to fill out their starting five and their bench.
Joe Ingles
Ingles is a great shooter you can place in any lineup in the NBA and he can be a productive offensive player. He is a catch-and-shoot guy who would fit very well next to Green and Porter.
TJ Warren
Warren has been injured this season, so in theory, the contract he gets for next season should be a little smaller. He could be a solid offensive threat for the Rockets.
Montrezl Harrell
Harrell was drafted by the Rockets, if he is willing to come back, that is the big question here. He is a more traditional center than Wood, which would allow Wood to spread the floor a little more. Harrell is a great energy player and is willing to do the dirty work.
2022-23 Season
The Rockets will have a lottery pick in this year’s draft. And they have a bunch of draft capital from the James Harden and Russell Westbrook trades. The Rockets could be a team to watch in the next few years.
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