2024-25 Houston Rockets: A quick preview
The Houston Rockets have made significant strides in rebuilding their roster, boasting a solid young core, but in the stacked Western Conference, they could face stiff competition for a play-in spot.
Over the past few years, the Rockets have added talented players like Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, both of whom are eligible for extensions as they enter the final year of their rookie contracts. Whether these two become long-term cornerstones for head coach Ime Udoka remains to be seen. If they don’t fit into the Rockets’ long-term plans, they could be potential trade assets, especially since the team has stockpiled draft capital to make a big move when the time is right.
The long-term goal is clear: evolve into a playoff team, if not this season, then by next year, with an eye toward competing for titles later on.
However, the immediate focus will be on improving their offense, which lagged behind their defense last season. With continued development, the Rockets could be in the play-in conversation this year, but given the depth of competition in the Western Conference, they’ll need to take big steps forward to secure their spot.
The team has a total payroll of $169,437,365 for the 2024-25 season, ranking them 23rd in the NBA.
Returning: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jae’Sean Tate, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Jock Landale, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Aaron Holiday, Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels, Jeenathan Williams
Additions: Reed Sheppard (Kentucky, Jack McVeigh (Adelaide), N’Faly Dante (Oregon, Thon Maker (Al Riyadi), Markquis Nowell (Raptors 905)
Departures: Boban Marjanovic (Fenerbahce), Reggie Bullock
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The Rockets have made great progress in rebuilding, forming a young core, but their development will be key for Houston’s future, either as long-term pieces or potential trade assets. With a good balance of veterans, developing young players, and a solid defense, the Rockets are poised to become a strong unit in the near future.
Their immediate challenge lies in improving their offense to complement their defense. They need Jabari Smith Jr, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason and others to take a leap in production. Competing in a tough Western Conference, the Rockets need significant progress to secure a play-in spot this season.
Rob Gray-Imagn Images
HoopsHype: 4th in the Southwest Division, 12th in the Western Conference
ESPN: 4th in the Southwest Division, 11th in the Western Conference
Sportsbooks: 43.5 projected wins
HoopsHype compiled the consensus win averages by gathering win projections from eight sportsbooks, including FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, DraftKings, ESPN BET, BetRivers, Caesars, and bet365.
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