Why this offseason is so pivotal to the Houston Rockets
Rockets fans have witnessed their team be crowned with the worst record in the NBA two years in a row following James Harden's departure. Some have grown frustrated, others have maintained patience, but everyone agrees over the significant offseason that awaits. Just what makes this summer such a crucial one for the franchise?
The NBA lottery and draft
The anticipation for the NBA draft lottery set to take place May 16th continues to build with each passing day. As things currently stand, the Rockets hold the second worst record in the NBA at 17-52. Despite back-to-back wins against the Celtics and Lakers, the Rockets are still tied with the Pistons and Spurs for the best odds at the the number one overall pick at 14%. This year's lottery has the potential to hugely alter the Rockets' future and even the NBA's.
The Rockets will enter the offseason hoping to be in position for Victor Wembanyama, the 7'5" french unicorn who has been widely considered one of the greatest prospects of all time. Of course, there's also an 86% chance they don't land the first overall pick in the draft, and luckily other franchise-changing players round up the top 6.
Victor Wembanyama put on a show with the French senior national team today versus the Czech Republic with 22 points, 17 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 steals and the win, including some ridiculous highlights as usual. pic.twitter.com/zcvOx2rRqT
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 23, 2023
Scoot Henderson is one of the most talented and physically imposing guards the draft has seen in years. Brandon Miller has flat-out been a star for Alabama. The 6'9" wing has only gotten better with his finishing craft and handle as the season has gone on. Twins Amen and Ausar Thompson are might be the most athletic freaks of nature in draft history. Forward Jarace Walker is a versatile defensive bully with a 7'2" wingspan. He reads passing lanes like a book and has the ability to create for himself.
Free Agency
The Houston Rockets will have roughly $60m to spend this offseason if they so choose. Who some of the wealth is spread to depends on the outcome of the lottery and the draft.
For instance, if the Rockets land Scoot Henderson with the 2nd overall pick, it significantly lowers the chances of a James Harden reunion. He has a player option that he could turn down if he so chooses, and rumors have been swirling for months that there is mutual interest in him returning to Houston. Harden is currently averaging 21.9 PPG and a league-leading 10.8 assists per game. He's still one of the best guards in basketball and would be a big step in taking this Rockets core to the next level. Other targets could be RFA sharpshooter Cam Johnson or Naz Reid who would make a really good backup big.
The OKC aspect
As a part of the infamous Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade in 2019 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets shipped off their 2024 & 2026 first-round picks. The picks are lottery protected 1-4, but no Rockets fan expects that to matter, and if it does something's gone terribly wrong. Essentially the worse the Rockets are, the better the picks will be for Oklahoma City. So it is added incentive to compete for wins next year and for the team to take a sizable leap.
The Oklahoma City Thunder themselves have a very good young core lead by All Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and blossoming rookie Jalen Williams. They currently sit 8th in the western conference and that's all without #2 overall pick Chet Holmgren having played a single minute. The last thing the Rockets would want to do is make them even better.
While losing games is in the best of interests now, it'll be the exact opposite next season. A play-in appearance with the young core and added pieces would be a win for the Houston Rockets and a great experience for players such as Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. All we can do is manifest what will happen this offseason, until everything unfolds.
