What’s Next for Houston ?
The Houston Rockets have been at the bottom of the NBA ever since entering the rebuild process and parting ways with all-star James Harden.
Since then, the Rockets have had a tough time trying to make something happen in the Western Conference. Although the Rockets do have a very young supporting cast in Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Going into this year’s draft the Rockets have many things to ask themselves before making the right move.
Should the rockets extend Kevin porter JR.?
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With such a young core on the Rockets and acquiring Kevin Porter Jr., for close to nothing at all, it is safe to say that the Houston Rockets have lots of cap space to do as they please. Upon Porter Jr.’s arrival to Houston, the Rockets had been a team seeking young prospects to rebound with. The original deal for Porter only cost the Rockets organization two second round draft picks. It has now come time to decide if they would like to extend his contract.
It is clear that in today’s NBA most high caliber players that make an impact can receive massive contract extensions. Although Porter Jr., most likely won’t receive a max deal, it is clear that he could seek a contract around the $85 million for a long term deal. Averaging 15.6 points-per-game last season with 6.2 assists-per-game. Those numbers may not be good enough for the rockets to decide to continue with him and pay him a big extension. Despite still being very young the Rockets have to decide if Porter Jr. is one of there franchise guards for the foreseeable future.
Who Do You Draft at Number 3?
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Draft day is always a stressful day for NBA organizations. With Houston scoring the number three overall pick in this year’s draft, it is safe to say that they have a lot of thinking to do before making a decision that could really alter the future for the better or catastrophically for the worse.
Luckily for Houston, having the third overall pick means there is not much room for error considering all the players coming into the league are very talented. With mock drafts currently having Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren going first overall, there is a chance for things to change before the commissioner takes the stage and players names are called.
In many ways this draft class has been categorized as “top heavy.” The Rockets are looking to fill many spots on their roster and with having to make the decision if they want to part ways with Porter Jr., they could either select a guard of some caliber like Purdue’s Jaden Ivey, who has a tremendous upside but could be a gamble as an early pick. Or Houston could go with a more favored forward in Duke’s Paolo Banchero.
What Should You Do With Christian Wood’s Contract?
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Entering the last year of his contract, it is clear that Christian Wood will most likely want out of Houston in the near future. The 26-year-old has been improving his game every season despite injuries. Being on one of the better contracts in the NBA it will hurt the Rockets organization to lose their star in free agency without getting anything in return. There also is a chance that Wood could potentially be interested in staying with the Rockets for the right price. Which leaves the Rockets of the dilemma in having to pay a star player big time money, while the rest of the team is still developing and growing into high caliber NBA players.
Sources: Basketball References, NBA.com
