The Houston Rockets have been one of the Western Conference’s best teams this season. They have a great young core of talent in first-time All-Star Alperen Sengun, versatile guard Amen Thompson, and Jalen Green. They also have veteran pieces in Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and others.
Head coach Ime Udoka has made sure his team takes after his old-school no-nonsense mentality, as Houston ranks fourth in the league in defensive rating. The Rockets are tracking to clinch their first postseason berth since 2020, and general manager Rafael Stone said he is looking forward to seeing what this current group does on the biggest stage. Depending on what happens, though, Houston will have a big decision this offseason.
The Houston Rockets have to decide if they are willing to go all-in for a star
Houston has flirted with the idea of adding a star for the last couple years. They were ready to pursue Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell if he didn’t extend with Cleveland, but Mitchell has since signed a three-year extension, and the Cavs now have the NBA’s best record at 48-10.
They contemplated a pursuit of Suns forward Kevin Durant last offseason and at this year’s trade deadline, but Stone said he didn’t want to break up his young core midseason. A Durant trade doesn’t make a lot of sense anyways, given the fact that he will be entering his age-37 season next year and he does not fit the Rockets’ timeline.
One name to keep an eye out for next offseason is Suns guard Devin Booker. The Rockets do have reported interest in the All-Star if he were to be made available, given Phoenix’s disaster of a season. The question is how fed up is Booker?
He fits Houston’s timeline perfectly and while the Rockets would have to give up a king’s ransom (a.k.a. giving the Suns their picks back), acquiring Booker makes too much sense. He gives them the scoring punch they desperately lack, is in the prime of his career, and would fit seamlessly with Thompson and Sengun.
Depending on how Houston’s impending playoff run goes, they will have a big decision to make this offseason. Pursuing Booker would make the most sense for their future contending outlook, but the Rockets’ front office has shown that they are willing to be patient. The question is how patient will they be before they cash in?