SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 02: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics looks on during the … [+] second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesMuch has been written about the Houston Rockets entering phase 2 of their rebuild. After a messy divorce from franchise centerpiece James Harden, the team endured three grueling seasons in which many would argue that the front office’s intent was not to win. That strategy yielded three consecutive top four draft picks, in the form of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson. And then, armed with cash, free from the long term contracts of veterans John Wall and Eric Gordon, the team splurged in free agency, signing guard Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $128.5 million contract, and wing Dillon Brooks to a four-year $86 million contract.
With Houston owing its 2024 draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder (as a result of the ill-fated Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade), the goal next season, in 2023-2024 is very much to win. The question is what will the Rockets look like. Not only are there new pieces, but head coach Stephen Silas is out, replaced by former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
Under Silas in 2022-2023, the Rockets were 27th in offensive rating, and 29th in defensive rating, neither ranking being too surprising for a team as bad as was Houston. But they were 16th in pace, demonstrating some degree of commitment to running despite not having a true floor general on the roster.
Earlier last week, during media availability at training camp, Udoka raved about Thompson, citing his pace, size and athleticism, and ability to ignite the fast break. Thompson, a 6’7 point guard, is projected to lead the second unit behind VanVleet, the projected starter. One can envision a high octane, fast-paced second unit, built around Thompson, fellow rookie Cam Whitmore, and second-year standout Tari Eason, a relentless jumbo-sized wing who may one day take over small forward duties for the team.
The big question with the starting unit revolves around center Alperen Sengun. Last season, following the offseason trade of Christian Wood, and after a breakthrough rookie campaign, close observers expected Sengun to get the start at his position, and for the team to run its offense through the young big man to some degree as a hub. It was not to be. Instead, Silas started the year with center Bruno Fernando getting the job, and Sengun was largely an afterthought in the team’s offense for much of the year, despite posting highly productive numbers. The question for 2023-2024 is how Udoka envisions the role of Sengun who averaged 18.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 55.3% shooting from the field, per 36 minutes.
If Sengun’s defense is passable, there’s no reason for the team to not feature him as a hub of its offense, either by allowing him to initiate offense in the low post, or in the high post out of the two-man game with Green, or in the pick and roll with VanVleet. He can generate an advantage on almost every possession.
Sengun has never averaged thirty minutes per game, despite his productivity. If he cracks that threshold next season, it will be a good indicator that the team’s offensive identity will reflect his abilities.