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Houston Rockets: Updated starting lineup, depth chart after James Harden trade

By Corey Rausch

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 26: Christian Wood #35 of the Houston Rockets reacts after his dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on December 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 26: Christian Wood #35 of the Houston Rockets reacts after his dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at Moda Center on December 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Houston Rockets (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

The Starters

The fact that there is an argument about this for the first time since Harden’s arrival in 2012 is telling in and of itself. John Wall has the biggest name historically and has been one of the most enjoyable stories of the year so far. He has appeared in seven of the Rockets nine games and has dropped 20+ points three times and has stuffed the stat sheet besides. If he can remain healthy and looking something like the John Wall of old this team will continue to compete with their other two potential All-Stars in the fold.

Namely, the burgeoning star Christian Wood and the newly added Victor Oladipo will be two of the other starters worthy of accolades. Wood is building on the breakout season he had last year for the Detroit Pistons by simply improving. He is averaging 22.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals per game so far and is not even shooting well from long range (27.0 percent). If the shooting can get closer to his career mark of 35.2 percent and the offense should explode.

Victor Oladipo has played in nine of the Indiana Pacers 11 games thus far and has looked much better than the player we saw in the bubble. This year he is averaging 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals. He is also in a contract year and brings it on the defensive end of the ball. Like Wall, if Oladipo can stay healthy this should be a revelation for a team simply looking for an adjustment in chemistry to take off.

As long as he remains on the roster PJ Tucker has the power forward position on lock. He is an unselfish offensive player, seemingly fine with only 3.8 field goal attempts per game. He will undoubtedly have another defensive plus in the starting lineup. The final starting spot is up in the air but so far this season it has regularly fallen on David Nwaba while Danuel House has been out of the lineup. Nwaba has been solid and could benefit from a more free-flowing offense that seems to be on the horizon.

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