We are about a month away from the NBA playoffs starting, and for most teams, it is the most important time of the year. The postseason is the ultimate measuring stick to show how close or far teams are from contention.
This year’s playoffs are setting up to be an exciting one, but for some teams, it’s setting up to be pivotal for the future of their franchises. Here are three playoff-bound teams that could blow up their rosters after an early exit.
3) Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been one of the NBA’s best surprises this season, currently rocking a 42-25 record and on track for a top four seed in the West. Their core of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson has taken the next step in their games and looks to be ready for the playoff spotlight.
The one flaw the Rockets have is their playoff offense. They don’t have one guy, who is a three-level scorer, that can take over the game. As great as Green, Sengun, and Thompson are, none of them are elite scorers, and teams need that in the playoffs.
So would Houston blow up their roster after a quick exit? Well, for the Rockets, it is more of a will they start their championship window this offseason question or will general manager Rafael Stone wait a little longer. They have a lot of young talent on the roster, but also some moveable veteran contracts in Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Steven Adams to get that scorer.
Suns forward Kevin Durant is expected to be available, and Houston has shown interest in the past. Would they ramp up their pursuit if they are eliminated early?
2) Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are two years removed from a championship and were one game away from the Western Conference Finals last season. Nikola Jokic is firmly in the mix for MVP, averaging a historic triple-double. However, like seasons past, Denver is one of the worst teams in the league when their big man sits.
The Nuggets have a -10.4 net rating when Jokic sits and a 104.1 offensive rating. Both marks would put them as one of the two worst teams in the league. Even in last year’s playoffs, Denver had a -11.8 net rating with Jokic off the floor. The drop off in play amongst their core players, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. is noticeable
That fatal flaw could lead to the Nuggets falling short on the big stage once again and could cause them to make significant changes to add more depth around Jokic. The only feasible way of doing that is moving on from either Murray or Porter Jr., all of whom have their own inconsistencies. A lot is riding on this playoff run in the Mile High City.
1) Milwaukee Bucks
Since winning the championship in 2021, Milwaukee has won one playoff series. While Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in and out of the lineup for the last two postseason runs, it's not like the Bucks have a huge chunk of championship window left.
This year will hopefully be the first time Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard share the court in the playoffs. Milwaukee is on a crash course to meet the Pacers in the first round again, and if they were to flame out, big changes could be on the way.
Antetokounmpo has said he doesn’t want to be traded, but he has also said that he wants to win more than one championship. Another first-round exit could trigger a trade request from the star. If he were to request a trade, then Lillard would likely be next since the Bucks without Antetokounmpo would just be what Lillard wanted to get away from in Portland.
This is Milwaukee’s most important playoff run in the last few years. With an aging roster and two stars who aren’t getting any younger, they have to make the most of it.