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What went wrong with these 3 struggling NBA teams

By Shannon Duff

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 02: Cam Reddish #21, Evan Fournier #13, Julius Randle #30, Immanuel Quickley #5, and Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 123-108. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 02: Cam Reddish #21, Evan Fournier #13, Julius Randle #30, Immanuel Quickley #5, and Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 2, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Knicks 123-108. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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What went wrong with these 3 struggling NBA teams
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 15: Kevin Porter Jr. #3 of the Houston Rockets and Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 15, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee, What went wrong with these 3 struggling NBA teams. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Oftentimes in the NBA, fans end up asking themselves, “what happened?” There are a number of reasons why teams could fall down in the rankings. Players get injured, players get traded, and players retire. A lot of teams even get down in the dumps for a few seasons in a row. And on top of that, it doesn’t matter if the season before a team wins a championship, any team can fall apart at any time.

What went wrong with these 3 struggling NBA teams: Houston Rockets

The last time the Rockets were in a good position was the 2019-20 season, where they finished 4th in the Western Conference. The very next season, James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

Currently, the Rockets are on track to have the same season they did last year – where they finished 15th in the West with a record of 17-55. However, there is still hope for the Rockets.

They have the potential to climb back to relevancy next season. And the biggest reason for that is the fact that Houston owns two picks in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft.

Since the Rockets will have a good position in the draft, they have a chance at getting at least one of the best players. Ben Dubose of RocketsWire brings up three prospects, in particular – Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero.

If the Rockets do decide to pick up any of these players, it could be an important step in the right direction. They have such a young team, as almost their entire roster is still 26 and under – Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Christian Wood, Alperen Sengün, Josh Christopher, and Jae’Sean Tate.

Outside of Wood, these are also all players who have been in the NBA for five years or less. However, it takes time to build a new team, and if they draft well, there’s no doubt that the Rockets will bet climbing back to the top soon.