Houston Rockets: 5 predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

By Simon Smith | Oct 9, 2018

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 8: Chris Paul #3 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talk after the game against the Utah Jazz during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Looking to put the pain of coming up short in the postseason behind them, here are five predictions for the Houston Rockets in the 2018-19 NBA season.

In the end, the injury to Chris Paul was simply too much to overcome.

Despite leading the Golden State Warriors 3-2 in the Western Conference Finals, the Houston Rockets‘ loss of Paul in the dying seconds of Game 5 was ultimately the difference in the Rockets not advancing to the finals, and thus helped deliver the Warriors their second straight championship.

Fast forward to the offseason, and while a 65-win season was something to behold, this didn’t prevent the Rockets’ front office from attacking the summer in an incredibly bold manner. From their existing roster, general manager Daryl Morey extended center Clint Capela for five years, Chris Paul for four years and Gerald Green for one season.

In addition to signing James Ennis III and Michael Carter-Williams in free agency, the Rockets were also able to eventually add 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony to the fold.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1029058149569978368

If this weren’t enough, Morey and the front office also offset Ryan Anderson and second round draft selection De’Anthony Melton to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss.

The unfortunate off-shoot of these moves was the loss of forwards Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. As integral pieces on the defensive end of the floor, overcoming the loss of these two veterans will be interesting to follow.

So with expectations within the franchise still at an all-time high, here are five predictions for the 2018-19 season.

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