It’s amazing what one year does. Last year, the Rockets believed they had a contender in the combination of James Harden, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins. Instead, Harden showed up out of shape, demanded a trade, and was out the door. Cousins was eventually waived, while Wall was injured and is expected to be traded or bought out in the foreseeable future.
- Point Guard – Kevin Porter Jr.
- Shooting Guard – Eric Gordon
- Small Forward – Jalen Green
- Power Forward – Jae’Sean Tate
- Center – Christian Wood
- Bench
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The Rockets had a season to forget when the team lost 20 straight games at one point. Their terrible record landed the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and the team has a top prospect in Jalen Green. Nobody expects this team to compete at a high level. What we expect more is the Rockets finding Green a partner in next year’s draft, especially after how many wins this team is likely to finish with.
Point Guard – Kevin Porter Jr.
After fizzling out in Cleveland, Porter was brought to the Rockets via trade. He was inactive for the first part of the season due to an offseason weapons charge. Once the dust settled, Porter played in 26 games, averaging 16.6 points and 6.3 assists. On April 29, he scored 50 points and recorded 11 assists in a win over the Bucks, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to have a 50 point and 10 assist game.
Most of the concern does not revolve around the talent of Porter. It’s his attitude and maturity. After all, he is just 21 years old. With that said, Porter is due for a breakout year if he can keep his head on straight.
Shooting Guard – Eric Gordon
Last year, PJ Tucker was the main trade deadline piece traded away for draft capital. The next player in line should be Eric Gordon. Moving Gordon’s contract may not be as difficult as you think given that he is due $18 million this year, $19 million next year, and has a team option for $20 million the following year.
Gordon has high-level offensive production that can come off a championship contender’s bench. In 27 games, he averaged 17.8 points for the Rockets last year. The problem is his durability. At 32 years old, Gordon has played a combined 63 games the last two years. If Gordon can play well at the beginning, he might play his way out of Houston, which is secretly what both teams probably hope for.
Small Forward – Jalen Green
Green was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Rockets. After skipping college and playing for the G-League Ignite, Green averaged 17.9 points per game and 4.1 rebounds. Analysts believe Green could lead the league in scoring one day. However, their new version of James Harden is going to need a few years to develop first.
Green is coming into a tough situation in Houston. The team is not very good and Green is expected to be the team’s best scorer right out of the gate. That is a lot of pressure for a 19-year old, but Green is somewhat polished after playing in the G-League. Green will be a frequent topic among Rookie of the Year this season.
Power Forward – Jae’Sean Tate
How many 25-year old rookies do you know? Last year, Tate played out his rookie year in the NBA by making 70 appearances, averaging 11.3 points, and 5.3 rebounds. That included a 50.6% shooting from the field. Technically, Tate isn’t a rookie. After going undrafted in 2018 out of Ohio State, Tate played some ball in Belgium and then for the Sydney Kings.
When it comes to the most improved players in the league, Tate brings some intrigue. Those numbers he posted last year are respectable starting-caliber NBA stats. With a bigger role this year, Tate should get a jump in all statistical categories. The question is if he can make a similar jump like Jerami Grant in Detroit.
Center – Christian Wood
Speaking of most improved players, Wood might have had a chance to win the award over Julius Randle had the Rockets been playing better as a team. The Knicks won the No. 4 seed, while the Rockets got the No. 2 overall pick. Still, that does not disregard what Wood did last year and how he transcended his game to a new level.
Wood averaged 21.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 41 games last year. There was the conversation of Wood being an All-Star at one point while the Rockets continued to lose games. Wood is just 26 years old and could have another breakout campaign. If he wants to get his first All-Star nod, he will have to stay healthy.
Bench
D.J. Augustine, Dante Exum, Daishen Nix, John Wall, Josh Christopher, Armoni Brooks, KJ Martin, Danuel House, David Nwaba, Khyri Thomas, Matthew Hurt, Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba, Anthony Lamb, Daniel Theis
For now, Wall remains on the roster but the $44 million man is unlikely to play any games for the Rockets this season. Wall is expected to finalize a buyout if the team can’t find a trade partner. The team is ready to go younger with Porter, so that will open the door for some other players.
Daniel Thies was the biggest pickup for the team, but the four-year, $36 million contract was unexpected given the team is in a rebuild. Outside of Danuel House, DJ Augustine, and Dante Exum, this team is unproven.
One player to keep an eye on is Daishen Nix, the undrafted pickup by the Rockets that was once considered a five-star prospect out of high school before joining the G-League Ignite. He was once considered the best point guard in the high school class of 2020. Exum played well enough in the playoffs to get a contract, but if the Rockets are smart, they will play their young talent first.
30 Wins Is Mission Impossible
The headline says it all when it comes to this team. In no way, shape or form, should the Rockets make the playoffs? The odds have the Rockets winning around 27 games this season, so anything over would be a bonus. The Rockets have a starting lineup with ages 21, 19, 25, 26, and Gordon as the old guy at 32. For starters, the experience is lacking, but the overall talent is just as bad.
Gordon should not be with the team full term, so that will force another young, inexperienced player into the fire. It would not be surprising to see the Rockets feature a starting lineup with three players 21-years old or less. In a way, that would be good for Houston this year. The more they lose, the higher chance they have at getting a high draft pick.
The Rockets should want another high draft to pair with Green to allow the combo to grow. The 2022 NBA Draft is stockpiled with top talent at power forward and center. If the Rockets were lucky enough to get the No. 1 overall pick, Chet Holmgren and Green could be as dangerous high-level duo as Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
The Rockets and the Thunder will battle it out for the worst record in the Western Conference. Last year, the Thunder won 22 games, while the Rockets won a conference-worst 17 games. Neither team drastically improved, while the argument could be made that both teams got worse from the previous year. While tanking is highly frowned upon, both teams have to be thinking about next year’s draft.
In the end, we will see the Rockets in the lottery next year. If the Rockets don’t finish last place, that will be a good season for them. Given the talent that will be on the floor, and their youth as well, Houston will be circled on the calendar of many NBA franchises as a chance for an easy win.
