The Houston Rockets are reconsidering their roster after being eliminated from the playoffs. General manager Rafael Stone initially expressed satisfaction with the team but has shifted his perspective following the Western Conference and NBA Finals. The Rockets now view themselves as needing significant improvement to compete for a title and are exploring trade opportunities. While Amen Thompson is seen as nearly untouchable, the team is open to discussions regarding All-Stars and key contributors, although they are not actively shopping all players.

By the Numbers
  • Rockets have communicated that only Amen Thompson is considered "near untouchable."
  • Dorian Finney-Smith is viewed as a logical trade candidate due to reasonable interest from other teams.
State of Play
  • Houston's management is reassessing the team's competitiveness after playoff elimination.
  • The Rockets plan to engage in rookie scale extension talks with Thompson after the draft.
What's Next

The Rockets are expected to be active in free agency, aiming to strengthen their bench while also considering trade scenarios involving key players. They will likely assess offers for All-Stars while focusing on adding talent through sign-and-trade opportunities.

Bottom Line

The Rockets are at a pivotal moment, balancing roster reconfiguration with the need to remain competitive. Future decisions will be critical in determining whether they can transition from a rebuilding phase to a playoff contender.