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Spoiler:
Time of death: May 04, 2025
Record at elimination: 52-30 (3-4 in playoffs)
Head coach: Ime Ukoda
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/houston-rockets/yearly
Contract summary:
Fred VanVleet – extension eligible, or 45M TO
Dillon Brooks - extension eligible, or 2yr/40M remain
Steven Adams – UFA
Jalen Green – 3yr/105M remain, final year 36M PO
Jeff Green – UFA
Jock Landale - extension eligible, or 2yr/16M remain (both are non-guaranteed to some extent)
Alperen Sengun – 5yr/185M rookie extension begins next season (final year 39M PO)
Aaron Holiday – 4.9M TO
Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):
Reed Sheppard – 3yr remain
Jabari Smith Jr - extension eligible, or 12M QO
Amen Thompson – 2yr remain
Jae’Sean Tate – UFA
Tari Eason - extension eligible, or 5.5M QO
Cam Whitmore – 2yr remain
Jeenathan Williams – 3yr remain (non-guaranteed)
TW
N’faly Dante
Jack McVeigh
Dead-cap – 8M off the books this season, NONE retained next season
Capspace 2025: 1st apron (hard capped), have multiple extensions to address. will have limited space unless not picking up FVV's Team Option.
PICKS for 2025 draft:
PHX 1st
OKC 2nd
A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/hou/seasontype/2
The Rockets improved significantly from last season, 11 more wins from the 23-24 regular season and the No. 2 seed [52-30 overall record] in the Western Conference. It was close in the end to get the second seed, as No. 3 and below had razor-thin margins, but the Rockets held on for critical wins to get home-court advantage through two rounds.
Unfortunately, the battle-tested and Jimmy Butler-era Warriors were the No. 7 seed and showed that playoff experience in full force during Game 7. The results ? An absolutely thrilling series for me! Yet the Rockets end their season at home, and enter an offseason to improve the roster, and use that playoff experience to be even better.
I don't think many predicted the Rockets to be No. 2 in the West, but they achieved substantial success on the defensive side. Many of its players performed admirably throughout the year. Jalen Green played every game and though showed his streaky shooting in the playoffs it has to be said he made big time contributions this year.
The player of note, for me, is Amen Thompson. He showcased a massive impact on both sides of the ball, but mostly defense, and surely has a huge future ahead of him. Brooks, Adams, and FVV were solid veterans for this squad and all have contract questions this offseason. Brooks could be extended, but is on a reasonable deal for his overall play. FVV has a big Team Option that HOU could decline, and use that money elsewhere. Adams, a solid veteran and positive locker room guy is entering UFA, where surely he will get interest from size-needy teams.
Also, Landale, Holiday, and Jeff Green could all be released or have their TO's not picked up, or their contracts non-guaranteed and the Rox clear even more cap holds, so safe to say this team should be in the mix for free agents, trades, and savvy cap usage over the summer.
With a couple of picks and still players of note on the bench (Whitmore, Sheppard), how do you rate this season for the H-town team, and where do you see them to improve in the offseason to continue the upward trajectory ?
