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3 NBA teams that will shock the basketball world in 2024–25

Where does your favorite team stack amongst the league? Will they shock the basketball world, or crumble to the pitiful depths of league sorrowness?

By Treyvon Hastings

Kings' point guard De'Aaron Fox (pictured) versus Phoenix Suns
Kings' point guard De'Aaron Fox (pictured) versus Phoenix Suns / Thearon W. Henderson/GettyImages
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2. Houston Rockets

Another exciting, young roster in the Western Conference resides in Houston. The Rockets had one of the NBA's best turnarounds in recent memory, going 41-41 last season. In the three seasons before last season, the Rockets finished with records of 17-55 (2020-21), 20-62 (2021-22), and 22-60 (2022-23). Head coach Ime Udoka completely altered the Rockets, combining the roster's youth and veterans. After another massive addition and a huge trade, Houston's become a team to monitor.

Alperen Sengun has become a rising star in today's NBA. In his third season, Sengun finished third in Most Improved Player voting, averaging 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and over a steal per game. Sengun played in 63 games, missing the conclusion to last season via injury.

When he missed the 'final stretch' of last season, the Rockets didn't miss a beat, going on an 11-game winning streak in March. Jalen Green emerged as one of the most exciting players in the league during that stretch. Green averaged 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game.

Green's efficiency improved drastically during the winning streak, shooting 49 percent, 41 percent from three, and 77 percent on free throws. If Green can maintain that level of play and consistency for a whole season, the Rockets offense will be difficult to guard. Green's capabilities, combined with Sengun's ability to facilitate and score, offer a challenge to defenses. The Rockets' depth is also some of the league's best.

Already rostering Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun, Houston's depth consists of youth Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, and AJ Griffin, while adding veterans like Jeff Green, Jock Landale, Steven Adams, and Jae'Sean Tate. The Rockets added to that depth by selecting Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard third overall after draft lottery luck. With improvement likely to fill Houston's roster, they can reach new heights this season.

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