HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 24: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets and Houston Rockets General ... [+]
Unlike years past, the Houston Rockets enter the 2024 offseason without any glaring roster needs. Last offseason, in 2023, after three straight rebuilding years during which the team averaged only 20 wins, the Rockets entered the summer with clear needs for a playmaker and a center and a bundle of cash under the salary cap to go spending. But after signing veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, and with the emergence of third-year center Alperen Sengun, the Rockets’ starting lineup heading into next year appears to be set.
The team’s biggest hole last season was at backup center. General manager Rafael Stone signed veteran Jock Landale to a four-year, $32 million contract to add depth at the position, but apart from some signs of life towards the end of the year, Landale was largely a disappointment in his debut season for the Rockets. For much of the year, Houston employed veteran forward Jeff Green, signed to a two-year, $16 million contract, as Sengun’s backup. Heading into the trade deadline, the team was linked in trades to centers Clint Capela, Robert Williams III, and Daniel Gafford, but ultimately moved to acquire veteran center Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies for the minimal cost of just Victor Oladipo’s expiring contract, two 2024 second round picks, and one 2025 second round pick.
While Adams was not available to suit up following the trade due to recovering from knee surgery (performed prior to the start of the season), the Rockets secured their backup for next season at a very affordable cost. Adams, 31, is slated to earn $12.6 million next season; he can become an unrestricted free agent in 2025-2026. In theory, he is still young enough to be retained as the team’s long term veteran backup, similar to the roles played by Dikembe Mutombo and Nene during previous Rockets eras.
The roster is at least two deep at every other position; it could possibly even be argued that there are not enough minutes to go around for the Rockets’ core prospects. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Dillon Brooks round out the starting lineup next to VanVleet and Sengun and all three are expected to maintain their starting roles in 2024-2025. Sophomores Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore both had highly promising rookie campaigns and will both need more minutes to continue their development. Thompson spent the bulk of his time last season serving as a wing, particularly after Sengun was lost for the year following a severe ankle injury.
And then there is Tari Eason, arguably the team’s most productive player, with its highest net rating. Eason missed most of the year due to a lower leg injury. In most situations, he likely would be a starter given his productivity but he is behind Smith, a former third overall pick, on the team’s depth chart. Could Eason eventually supplant Brooks at small forward?
What this team could use is shooting. The Rockets were just 23rd overall in the league from long distance, connecting at a rate of just 35.2%. That would do more than anything to aid their anemic offense (just 20th overall with an offensive rating of 113.7). The Rockets are armed with the non-taxpayer midlevel exception to go hunting in free agency. One thing is clear: the needs are not as clear as they were last summer.
