After falling simply wanting the playoffs, the younger Houston Rockets hope to construct on final season’s 41-41 end. The Rockets have formally moved from rebuilding to competing following a 19-game enchancment. Listed here are three massive questions for the Rockets heading into the brand new season.
1. What do they do with Amen Thompson?
The No. 4 decide within the 2023 draft, Amen Thompson made the All-Rookie second staff. Like Liam Neeson, Thompson has a sure set of expertise: Ballhawking protection (1.3 steals in 22 minutes per recreation), athleticism (88 dunks) and rebounding (6.6 rebounds, 2.4 offensive).
Thompson additionally has one large weak point: He can’t shoot. Final season, he shot 8-of-58 from three-point vary. From 10-16 toes, Thompson shot under 30 %. There’s a purpose over half of his pictures got here inside three toes of the ring.
On a less-loaded, much less aggressive staff, Thompson can be plugged in at small ahead and even level guard and allowed to develop. The Rockets have high-priced free brokers and excessive lottery picks at each place and playoff aspirations. Thompson has a ton of potential, however the Rockets might want to stability the necessity to get him minutes and their need to win video games.
2. Which Jalen Inexperienced will Houston get this season?
For the month of March, Jalen Inexperienced regarded just like the participant Houston hoped they had been getting with the No. 2 decide in 2021. Inexperienced averaged 27.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds and three.9 assists for the month, capturing over 40 % from three-point vary and 49.2 % from the sector. Not coincidentally, the Rockets went 13-2 within the month, together with an 11-game win streak.
Inexperienced’s fortunes mirror that of his staff. In Rockets wins, Inexperienced shot 45 % and averaged 22.3 factors, and the staff was 14.2 factors per 100 possessions higher with Inexperienced on the court docket. In Rockets losses, Inexperienced shot 39.2 % and averaged 17 factors, and the staff was 13.3 factors worse per 100 possessions when he performed.
That is the 12 months Inexperienced must show his consistency and worth. Houston’s unlikely to supply a max extension to Inexperienced or fellow 2021 draftee Alperen Sengun earlier than the season, which means each are restricted free company earlier than the season. Will Inexperienced dealing with a contract 12 months lastly spark the advance Houston wants from him?
3. Is Alperen Sengun their heart of the longer term?
Sengun, 22, performed like a Turkish Nikola Jokic final season, averaging 21.1 factors, 9.3 rebounds and 5 assists. He received higher on protection, however the Rockets had been involved about him as their rim protector, buying and selling for an injured Steven Adams on the commerce deadline in February to get an even bigger massive man alongside — or in place — of Sengun.
The Rockets’ massive late-season cost additionally occurred with Sengun out with an harm. Sengun performed his final recreation of the season March 10, and the Rockets responded by successful their subsequent 9 video games with out him. He’s clearly a gifted passer and scorer, although he doesn’t have a dependable exterior shot. However with 2022 No. 3 decide Jabari Smith, Jr. and Thompson round, Sengun isn’t assured to be the best choice of defensive-minded head coach Ime Udoka.
We imagine in Sengun’s future, however the staff could have to decide on between him and Inexperienced when each hit free company subsequent summer time.
