Do we need to do anything, other than wait?

I'll have to let the GMs do their work/negotiation thing on that

 

I would think the next step is to further develop this roster. You bring back this core, add Adams and Tari(who only played a quarter of the season), and either draft another young prospect with the Brooklyn pick or trade it for a veteran bench player or some other asset.

This season was the beginning of Phase 2 where they transition from tanking to trying to win and that's been a success thus far. They could finish around .500 which was the best case scenario even if they'd been fully healthy. Next season is about making the playoffs(not just play-in) and figuring out who's here long-term.

 

They have the Brooklyn picks and any matching salary they need if a star player becomes available. They will have the MLE to sign an upgrade for the bench. This team has a good shot at finishing .500 with two significant rotation pieces missing the final quarter of the season (and another that missed three quarters). They don’t have to do anything other than allow for natural growth, but they need to be aggressive if an opportunity to improve through trade presents itself.

 

Get rid of $60M in Fred Van Fleet and Dillon Brooks

*so extensions to Jalen Green and Sengun begin.

*Bring in true shooters like I mentioned before: Seth Curry, Cam Johnson
types to mix and match with our core. Guys that get off the bus making a
living shooting 8 three's a game without running plays for them.

* Preferably in the form of "more wings" that can play defense. Pacers,
Celtics, Thunder can play small and have the most efficient offenses.....
difference is Boston and Thunder players can shoot and play
defense. Pacers players are one dimensional and give you mostly offense only.
Ranked 25th in defense (Pacers)

Thunder (5th) DRtg
Celtics (2nd) DRtg


Rockets could compete right and be right there with Thunder, Celtics, Pacers, Cavs with a
few added depth players to go along with Steven Adams and Jock.

Amen....................Holiday
Jalen G.................
Cam Whitmore.....
Jabari...................Tari
Sengun.................Steven Adams/Jock

 

Need a SG alternative. Can't go into next year holding our breath that Jalen will be performing like this. Outside of that we need another Jeff Green as it's unlikely he can play at this level another year. Draft whoever left of Sheppard/Dillingham/Williams/Rissacher/Walters.

 

Caveat: I think Amen and Sengun will be the best two players of the young group. Green has upside to join this group, but needs to play well consistently.

I think Sam Vecenie said it the best, the Rockets need guys that can shoot 40% behind the arc on high volume that can deny penetration around Amen and Sengun. I think Jabari, Tari, and Cam all have potential to be these guys. Jabari is the closest of these guys on both metrics. Tari, his shot still needs to be just a little quicker so he can up the volume and percentage when defenders press his more. Cam needs to be more attentive on defense.

 

I see everyone is back on the Jalen Green bandwagon...the positive side of his recent streak is that his trade value has increased for us!

 

Good to see you posting. Hope all is well!

 

My main concern still is that our young core is 6 players not 5 players. And all 6 of these guys rightfully will care about being long term starters which is impossible. That means we still have to find the odd man out which is a bummer unless one of these guys accept a long term 6th man role.

 

At some point a trade may present itself to consolidate two guys into one star player. We don't need to be in a rush to do that though

 

definitely have time to be patient.

It's a good problem to have also.

 

Likewise, hope you and all of yours are well and doing good.

 

Sengun and Nets picks for Embiid.

Amen
Green
Cam
Jabari
Embiid

Still have Eason as a 6th man. Oops


In all seriousness with guys being injured and resting Eason would be a nominal starter anyways.

 

It's amazing what a string of games against late season tanking teams can do for morale.

Stone has hard decisions to make and that's what he's getting paid to do. Or not paid, after all he does report to Tilman.

 

Buddy a team that has three starters with ages 22 or younger with a plethora of injuries with a new coaching system is about to be a .500 team.

The national media praises the Rockets franchise as one of the three most promising franchise in the NBA with obviously OKC at the top followed by Orlando and Houston.

You might find it frustrating but non Rockets fans and media have much higher outlook for the Rockets than many posters here.

 

Phoenix, Sactown, and Cleveland aren't tanking.

 

It’s a legitimate plan just letting all these kids grow together and it could just work out.

As we all know you need a top 5 player in the league to win a ring. Sengun has shown that he could get to that Jokic level. Which Jalen Green is going to be the real version? If he keeps this up and continues to improve his game then yeah he could be that guy.

Guys like Tari and Jabari are such great fits since they can play their roles so well without needing to pound the rock.

You’ve got almost everything you need if the young ins get to most of their potential.

I’d vote to just let the kids grow and be on the lookout for that disgruntled star with the BKN picks in your back pocket.

 

The 180s are just so

 

The way I see it if you’re willing to sacrifice anything, then you can get semi-all star fairly routinely. They become available every 6-12 months.

If you’re picky the best thing to do is take your time maybe a couple of years. Go after it immediately but also be patient with it. Those who are perfect age, game, health are practically never available so don’t build your whole future around whether you’ll get Luka Doncic at his peak. At the same time we don’t want a 34 year old Doncic. It’s such a fine line and we’ve gotten it wrong so many times (Westbrook, Howard). It’s so important this character we add is a perfect fit.

We have a strong negotiating position. Is anyone betting against rockets making playoffs next season even if we stand pat? What about the season after that maybe compete for home court? We’re in such a good position already, I hope Stone doesn’t go all in too soon.

Very excited for this team’s future. Amen, Cam, Sengun, Tari and Bari have done excellent as a group this season. Jalen catching up. OP is right, there’s not much you have to do with this group. They’re good on both sides of the ball. We have the option of just watching them grow into a contender.