- The Houston Rockets went only 22-60 last season
- Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks signed with the Rockets this offseason
- Ime Udoka is the new head coach in Houston
The Houston Rockets struggled in 2022-23, going only 22-60. To make matters worse, the Rockets didn’t end up with the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft despite having the same record as the San Antonio Spurs, who won the draft lottery and selected Victor Wembanyama.
The Rockets wound up with the fourth pick and drafted Amen Thompson. Houston also signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Aaron Holiday, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green in free agency and hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.
Houston will have a new starting lineup next season with VanVleet and Brooks in the fold. Rockets fans are hoping the new starting five will help the team make the playoffs again.
Point Guards
Starter: Fred VanVleet
Reserves: Amen Thompson, Aaron Holiday
Fred VanVleet signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the Rockets on the first day of free agency this offseason. The All-Star point guard averaged 19.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season for the Toronto Raptors. VanVleet shot 39.3% from the floor, 34.2% from beyond the arc, and 89.8% from the free-throw line.
The Rockets haven’t made the playoffs since 2020. New head coach Ime Udoka wants to establish a winning culture in Houston and adding VanVleet will help since the NBA champion is a proven winner who can score and facilitate at a high level.
VanVleet knows many people think the Rockets overpaid to get him, which is why he’s motivated to prove his doubters wrong.
“They don’t want me to be anybody but myself,” VanVleet said after signing with the Rockets. “And I know people are crazy about the number, but the league is growing every year and that number won’t be that number in a few years. So I know it’s a shock factor with the narrative that I have around me as an undrafted guy, but I’m going to work every day to make sure I prove every penny.”
Shooting Guards
Starter: Jalen Green
Reserve: Kevin Porter Jr.
Jalen Green averaged 22.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Rockets last season in 76 games. He shot 41.6% from the field, 33.8% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line.
The Rockets drafted Green with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old has career averages of 19.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 42.0% overall, 34.0% from 3, and 79.0% from the free-throw line.
The Rockets’ staff has been impressed with Green’s conditioning and fitness level this offseason, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Green was a member of the Team USA select team and played well in Las Vegas during Team USA training camp.
It will be fascinating to see how Green and Fred VanVleet co-exist in the Rockets’ backcourt next season. An anonymous member of the Rockets told Keith Smith of Spotrac that the team views VanVleet as a great “organizer.”
Small Forwards
Starter: Dillon Brooks
Reserves: Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore
The Memphis Grizzlies did not re-sign Dillon Brooks this offseason because they did not like the shots the forward took on offense last season, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Brooks joined the Rockets on a four-year, $86 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Grizzlies.
“I think the reasons the Grizzlies were ready to move on from him are misunderstood,” MacMahon said on Zach Lowe’s podcast. “The nonsense was kind of like at a point where culturally, it was time. That was not the primary reason. The primary reason the Grizzlies were trying to replace Dillon Brooks for a full two years — repeatedly going after players that would have replaced him in the trade market — and he probably would have been sent out, was because of the shot selection issue. Dillon did not want to be a fourth or fifth offensive weapon.”
Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists last season for the Grizzlies while shooting 39.6% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Many people around the NBA believe the Rockets overpaid to sign Brooks. Only time will tell if Houston made the right move or not.
Power Forwards
Starter: Jabari Smith Jr.
Reserves: Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green
The Rockets drafted Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Auburn product averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists last season while shooting 40.8% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line.
Smith Jr. made the 2022-23 All-Rookie Second Team. The Rockets expect the youngster to take his game to another level on both ends of the court next season in Ime Udoka’s system.
Smith Jr. averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds over his last four games of last season, finishing his rookie year strong.
Centers
Starter: Alperen Sengun
Reserve: Jock Landale
Alperen Sengun appeared in 75 games for the Rockets last season. He averaged 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 55.3% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc, and 71.5% from the free-throw line. The Giresun native recorded 29 double-doubles and two triple-doubles.
Sengun attempted 117 3-pointers in his rookie season and 57 last season. He’s a career 27.6% shooter from deep. If Sengun is able to become a more consistent shooter from distance, he could become an All-Star very soon.
It’s going to be intriguing to see if Houston can get back to the postseason in 2024. For that to happen, Sengun will likely have to be the team’s best offensive player. He’s one of the most skilled big men in the NBA.
