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Houston Rockets: Grading The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13), guard Corey Brewer (33) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) celebrate against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13), guard Corey Brewer (33) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) celebrate against the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets
Jan 14, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12), guard Patrick Beverley (2) and teammates get pumped up before the game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall

With a top-5 player in James Harden and a top-5 center in Dwight Howard, the Rockets have star power covered. But with so many of their veteran role players facing free agency, the front office had some tough decisions to make this summer.

Did they re-sign those free agents in the hopes of building on last year’s impressive locker room chemistry? Or did they let them walk with minimum space to adequately replace them?

Luckily for the Rockets, the only players they lost from last season’s playoff rotation were Josh Smith and Pablo Prigioni, who were sensibly replaced by Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell and Marcus Thornton. If Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Dwight Howard are able to stay healthier this season, no one should be counting this team out.

By trading for Lawson, the Rockets are taking a calculated risk. Head coach Kevin McHale will need to figure out how to manage his rotations with so many new players and so many players in new roles, but whether Lawson is coming off the bench or starting alongside Harden, he should be able to make a big impact — provided he can get his life together, of course.

After this offseason, Houston has star power, experience and depth, all while keeping most of last year’s surprisingly resilient roster intact. They filled their biggest need with an upgrade at point guard and if they can stay healthy, the Rockets should have even higher expectations this year as the contender that nobody actually believes in.

Grade: A-

Next: Golden State Warriors: Grading The Offseason

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