The Houston Rockets ended last year on a high note and hoped to ride that wave into this season. It’s safe to say they have done just that. The team is 11-5, only one game back of the best record in the Western Conference. Their core of young players and savvy veterans, paired with the coaching of Ime Udoka, has played well this year. Many wondered whether this team would look to make a huge trade with how many assets they have. When Milwaukee started out poorly, the Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors began with Houston being one of the prime targets. According to a recent report, the Rockets are not interested in breaking up their core.
Houston Rockets Like Their Core
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported the Houston Rockets are not interested in “breaking up their core” right now and remained focused on “developing its young players as a collective.” Because of the massive amount of depth on the roster plus quality draft capital, they are one of the few teams that could make a big swing for a superstar if one became available. At this point, it seems Houston is happy with what they have.
Things definitely change fast in the NBA. Teams and players change their minds quickly, but the Rockets have invested a lot of draft capital, money, and time into making this roster one of the best in the Western Conference. Trading for any player also doesn’t guarantee success. We’ve seen many instances where teams give up the farm for a certain player, and it doesn’t lead to a championship or even an NBA Finals appearance (looking at you, Phoenix). The Houston Rockets are happy, but should they be looking at a move?
The Case For Making A Move
Success in sports is never guaranteed. We’ve seen dynasties rise and fall over the smallest plays. Philadelphia lost game seven to Toronto on one of the most physics-defying shots. Kevin Durant’s toe-on-the-line shot caused the Nets to come up short in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Derrick Rose tore his ACL as the Bulls were making a run. All of these franchises might be in a different spot today if these events go the other way.
The Houston Rockets have the ability to win a championship this year. They have the players, the coaching, and have put themselves in a position to be one of the top seeds in the conference. There is no guarantee this core develops into a championship contender or that everyone stays healthy. Making a move to try and win a championship is not a bad strategy. They could also get someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who still has plenty of young assets for the future.
The Case Against Making A Move
I mentioned it before that making a move can be risky. It would be a huge amount of pressure on this team to win and win quickly. Right now, they are the fun story of the NBA. If they keep winning, we praise the team for drafting and developing while filling in the roster through free agency. If they lose, we brush it off as a developing team that is still two to three years away from competing for a championship.
For Giannis specifically, there are some questions about the fit. Sengun stretches the floor some but is mostly an in-the-paint player. This is the same for the Bucks star. He isn’t a jump shooter. He gets downhill and to the basket. There would be concerns about the lane being too clogged for Giannis to be effective. Milwaukee would likely ask for as much as possible and leave the cupboards bare. The Houston Rockets are likely better served to use their assets to acquire multiple needle-moving pieces rather than blowing their wad on one singular piece.
Balanced Attack
The Houston Rockets have been winning because of their balanced attack. Seven players are averaging double digits in terms of points this season. Those that are not play key roles off the bench and can be depth pieces if someone goes down with an injury. Only three players are averaging over 30 minutes meaning legs are fresh for the rigors of the NBA schedule. There is also the argument that the massive trade for a player might not be the best way to build.
Oklahoma City is one of the best teams in the NBA right now, and it has built its roster without a massive trade. They sold off all their pieces (like the Rockets did) and then drafted and developed. The Thunder have made minor moves here and there but have kept their core together. Now, they boast one of the most talented rosters in the NBA and still have a war chest of draft picks to continue the flow of talent. Houston could be looking to follow that model and become a contender with quality young depth.
Final Thoughts
The Houston Rockets like where they are at. Specifically to Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are also likely happy with their superstar. After starting out the season poorly, Milwaukee has now won four out of the last five games, including one against the Rockets. Regardless of whether this specific scenario happens, keep an eye out for the Rockets at the trade deadline if they keep winning. They have players and draft picks to move and could pick up the missing piece that propels them to an NBA Finals appearance.
