What can elevate the Rockets most this offseason?
The Houston Rockets’ aspirations of making the playoffs were flooded out late in the season, leaving the focus now on the upcoming offseason. With many possible pathways to go down this summer through the NNBA Free Agency, one question looms; What do the Rockets need to do this offseason to improve?
I will put either Least, Somewhat, or Most next to each offseason stage in terms of importance to Houston’s improvement. So, without further ado, let’s get into how the Rockets can improve this offseason.
Somewhat – NBA Draft
The first step in the offseason for Houston is the NBA Draft process. Starting with the results of the NBA Draft lottery in which the Rockets hold the Nets’ first-round pick projected to be number nine, Houston can begin to narrow down their decisions on prospects. Regardless of the lottery outcome, for the fourth straight season, Houston will hold a top-10 pick in the NBA Draft, continuing their stockpile of high-end talent. While I do not necessarily believe the Rockets can solve any issues through the Draft, not to say they cannot get better. With a need for three-point shooters and rim protectors, Houston has a chance to fill in positional gaps through the draft and make it meaningful.
A couple of realistic targets in the class who would fit Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets’ system and needs would be Reed Sheppard out of Kentucky, Donovan Clingan out of UConn, and Matas Buzelis of G-League Ignite. Each of these three men can fill in gaps within the rotation, and all fit the defensive scheme of the Houston Rockets. Although getting one of these players would be a benefit, it is a reach for the draft to be the most important step towards improvement this offseason.
Least – Trade Market
This is something that I personally do not see helping the Rockets improve this offseason. Besides a cap-related trade to get a contract off their books, Houston does not seem to have much other reason to make any deals this Summer. With likely 4/5 starter roles filled, and another starter spot probable to go to either Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, or Dillon Brooks, the Rockets do not have any need to go out and trade for a star neither do they have reason to trade for more rotational pieces. A forced trade is not what Houston needs this offseason, and to be quite honest, the only trades that should be discussed would be to haul some picks and a large contract away to create cap room.
In terms of importance, trades continue to be something that does not stand out to me this offseason for the Rockets. I feel as if Houston can make valuable changes to their Roster through the Draft and Free Agency as opposed to flipping their young players for veterans.
Somewhat – Free Agency
Free Agency will always be important to a team’s improvement over an offseason, depending on how much a team needs to improve and how much money they have to use. The Rockets are currently in the negative for cap room heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, leaving a small margin to sign any Free Agents. Houston has some room to work with before heading into the Luxury Tax next season, but I would assume there will be two new signees for the Rockets as, with the draft and resigning players, Houston does not have much need for new faces. The three realistic options for the Rockets Lachard listed each could all be signings to provide rotational and veteran shooting off the bench.
While Free Agency will be used for Houston, there is only so much money for the Rockets to spend, leaving their options limited in the market. Honestly, I would expect nothing more than a few rotational signings to help bolster needs during Free Agency.
Most – Resigning FA/Contract Extensions
As you would say in golf, this one should be a gimme. Houston’s pending Free Agent slate may not seem very important to resign, but bringing back veterans such as Jeff Green and Boban Marjanovic each holds importance. Between their charismatic attitudes, positive energy, and locker room presence, Boban and Jeff can help younger talent on and off the court. For Green, it is more of a reliable backup position as Jeff appeared in 78/82 games this season for the Rockets, bringing valuable minutes along with him.
Another upcoming Free Agent Houston should consider bringing back is Aaron Holiday. Holiday also played in 78/82 games for Houston and brought his most efficient season so far in his NBA career to go along with his high defensive intensity. Playing both sides of the ball, Aaron is a solid back end rotational piece for a relatively cheap price.
What truly makes this the most important step for the Rockets this offseason to improve is the rookie-scale contract extensions available for Houston. With Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green being the two guys up for rookie extensions, the Rockets have looming decisions to make, one of which I would say should be an easy one at that. There is no reason NOT to extend Alperen Sengun this offseason if you’re the Houston Rockets. Likely the face of the franchise, Sengun has proved time and time again that he deserves a max extension this summer following a career year with averages of 21.1/9.3/5/0 on solid efficiency.
While the Alpi decision should be immediately made on July 6 when the rookie extensions become allowed, the same cannot be said for Jalen Green. The former number two overall pick in 2021, Green has had numerous ups and downs in his career so far. While Jalen finished his season on an absolute tear, consistency has always been a struggle for him which can lead to concerns of extending the young shooting guard. At the end of the day, it comes down to money, how much Green will be asking for, and how much Rafael Stone is willing to give, if interested in extending Jalen at all.
Verdict
The Houston Rockets have a very important summer ahead of them between the NBA Draft, rookie extensions, and NBA Free Agency, but the most important step is to bring back/retain your guys on new deals. Resigning Sengun should be number one on your agenda if you are the Houston FO this summer, as it is what will be most important for the Rocket’s improvement in the foreseeable future. Getting rim-protectors and three-point threats throughout the draft and free agency should be near the top of the list for Houston as well.
All in all, the Rockets’ best way to improve is by getting positive results, progression from your core six, and staying and getting healthy over the summer.