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Houston Rockets: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) drives the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2016-17 Roster

Ryan Anderson, PF
Trevor Ariza, SF
Michael Beasley, SF
Patrick Beverley, PG
Corey Brewer, SG
Bobby Brown, PG
Clint Capela, C
Sam Dekker, SF
Eric Gordon, SG
James Harden, SG
Montrezl Harrell, PF
Nene Hilario, C
K.J. McDaniels, SG
Chinanu Onuaku, PF
Gary Payton II, PG
Pablo Prigioni, PG
Isaiah Taylor, PG
Kyle Wiltjer, PF

Offseason Additions
Ryan Anderson (free agency, New Orleans Pelicans), Bobby Brown (free agency, Besiktas {Turkey}),   Eric Gordon (free agency, New Orleans Pelicans), Nene Hilario (free agency, Washington Wizards), Chinanu Onuaku (37th overall draft pick, Louisville), Gary Payton II (free agency, undrafted) Isaiah Taylor (free agency, undrafted), Kyle Wiltjer (free agency, undrafted)

Offseason Subtractions
Andrew Goudelock (waived), Dwight Howard (free agency, Atlanta Hawks), Terrence Jones (free agency, New Orleans Pelicans), Donatas Motiejunas (free agency, unsigned), Josh Smith (free agency, unsigned), Jason Terry (free agency, Milwaukee Bucks)

Quick Thoughts

The Houston Rockets were never in the running for Kevin Durant, Mike Conley or any of the summer’s marquee free agents who might have helped turn their fortunes around for 2016-17, leaving them with Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon as their biggest acquisitions.

More from Houston Rockets

On massive four-year deals ($80 million for RyNo, $53 million for Gordon), the former New Orleans Pelicans hope to bring perimeter shooting and floor spacing to last season’s eighth ranked offense.

With Dwight Howard departing for his hometown Hawks and only Nene coming on to replace him, the Rockets will be relying on Clint Capela to take a massive leap in just his third season. Terrence Jones is gone and both Donatas Motiejunas and Josh Smith remain unsigned, so all the Rockets have at the 4 — outside of sixth man Ryan Anderson — are rookie and second-year power forwards.

Aside from re-signing James Harden and adding extra scoring punches to the bench with Anderson and Gordon, the Rockets have some major questions to answer with their rotation. Young players like Capela, Montezl Harrell and Sam Dekker need to be ready when their number is called if Houston wants to make a playoff run.

Next: Storyline 1: Trading Defense For Offense

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