Patience may be a virtue, but does Houston still believe in that?
Through the first eighth of the season, the Houston Rockets are huddled up right in the thick of the Western Conference race. So far, the Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors have established themselves as the most formidable teams out west with a herd of eight other teams, including the Rockets, packed tightly together. Making any declarations on the ceiling of this years team may be premature, but give it another 10 games or so — about a quarter way through the season — and the true identities of the Rockets and the rest of the league will become much clearer.
As for trade rumblings, the status quo remains. We know the Rockets are angling for a sizable trade at some point. Whether that will be this season, the offseason, or next season is still to be determined.
For those that fall under the more patient side of the equation, the offseason would seem to be the most favorable option. It is only year two of the current configuration, the organization’s most familiar faces, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, just locked into extensions, and there’s plenty room for growth for the drafted players to be made that can’t reasonably be expected to materialize in the immediate.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, this is the NBA we’re talking about. It’s where anything can happen and where patience runs thin, quickly. If and when the next star becomes available, the Rockets will be at the forefront of trade talks as they are as well-equipped to pull off a blockbuster as any other top suitor is right now. However, that doesn’t mean the Rockets have to say yes to the first player that becomes available as All Stars aren’t built equally.
So on one end, the timing of such a deal will depend on the level of talent, but in the meantime, Houston will continue to evaluate. The team is talented no doubt, but that doesn’t mean everyone is a keeper. At this point, is it fair to say that the Rockets don’t have a bonafide player that is off the table in any trade discussions? Amen Thompson would be the closet player to qualify to such a designation, but let’s see how the next few months play out.
Therefore, the earliest that the Rockets should consider making any trade of significance is…the offseason. For one, Rafael Stone gets an extended view of how sustainable building around the current group will be, and who knows, that may show that improvements only need to be made around the edges rather than at the core of the team.
Additionally, waiting until the offseason gives Houston, along with other trade partners, a cleaner hand to deal with. All cards will be on the table, meaning that even JG and Alpy could be the centerpiece of any outgoing deal. With poison pill provisions in place, attempting to make a trade sooner than later comes with more complications.
While this line of thinking might not be universal among all Rockets fans, pivoting against the rash decision making that has created a revolving door of old faces in new faces is worth consideration. Stone has remained patient so far, let’s see how much longer he has in him.