Ime Udoka and the two-seed Houston Rockets’ season came to an end on Sunday, May 4.
They were eliminated by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in Game 7, falling 103-89. While many in Houston was hoping the Rockets would finally shake their postseason demons against the Dubs, the future is still bright for their young core.
Rumors have started to swirl if Houston will go big star hunting this offseason. Superstar players like Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have emerged as the top candidates the Rockets could be interested in trading for. But this may come with more problems than answers.
The ‘Big 3’ Is a Thing of The Past Amid CBA Changes
When teams loaded up in free agency over the past years, franchises adopted the three-star model to give them a step up over the competition. While it has been successful for some teams, it has been an abject failure for others. The biggest reason for this is the new collective bargain agreement that the NBA has implemented, and the lack of depth this model creates.
The Rockets should lean on past experiences this summer to guide them to making the right decisions. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are recent examples that should be a deterrent to Houston’s front office due to the short-lived success these teams provided.
The CBA is another reason for the Rockets to make moves around the edges. The NBA’s collective bargain agreement made major changes when the new deal was agreed upon in 2023. The most impactful of those changes is the addition of the first and second “aprons” which cuts heavily into teams’ flexibility when building out rosters.
Expect Big Jumps From Alperen Şengün & Jalen Green
Houston’s young core is centered around 22-year-old Alperen Sengun and 23-year-old Jalen Green. The duo had an exceptional season building chemistry, developing a culture, and winning enough games to snag the second seed in a tough Western Conference.
Şengün, the first-time all-star, averaged 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists in their first-round loss to Golden State. While Green struggled much in this postseason, only eclipsing 12 or more points just once, the Rockets can only expect growth from their young stars after experiencing what the postseason entails.
Amen Thompson’s upside is another thing the Rockets can bank on moving forward. The second-year player took a leap this postseason, emerging as the Rocket’s third option amid Green’s struggles. Thompson averaged 15.7 points on red-hot 69.4% shooting from the field.
Find Pieces That Fit With The Roster
For the Rockets, finding veteran players that can help blend the team’s athletic and youthful presence with savvy, experienced knowledge could be what it needs to make a jump next season. The Rockers adopted this model when they signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.
More moves like this would propel Houston’s chances to becoming one of the West’s elites. While many Rockets fans may want to see major changes, and one of those being Antetokounmpo’s potential presence, their best bet could be leaning on the development of this young core that the Rockets spent serious draft capital building.
