NBA Power Rankings Week 3: A new number one has arrived

Nov 6, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
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Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets controls the ball during the second half against the Boston Celtics (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Week 3 NBA power rankings: 28. Houston Rockets

Last week: (0-4) – @ LAL (L), @ LAL (L), @ PHX (L), @ DEN (L)

Offensive rating: 99.7 (28th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 106.3 (14th in NBA)

The Houston Rockets’ season is going to be defined by their youth and the trades they make at the deadline. Both of those things are going fairly well right now.

Christian Wood looks great, and could honestly be a trade candidate at the deadline if they want to enter a full-on rebuild. Meanwhile, Jalen Green has picked things up after a slow start, and Alperen Sengun still looks solid.

At the same time, Eric Gordon is playing so well that Houston could get a solid return for him in a trade. The same can be said for DJ Augustin as well.

All that being said, the Rockets are not a good basketball team this season. They are too young and inexperienced, and that, unfortunately, leads to losing a lot of games.

Season outlook: Similar to the Pistons, being low in the power rankings is a good thing for the Rockets. They are looking to rebuild around their young core, and adding another top lottery talent is the best way to do that. They are headed straight for a top-five pick this season.