Houston Rockets: Grade: C-
Additions:
- Fred VanVleet
- Dillon Brooks
- Jeff Green
- Jock Landale
- Cam Whitmore
- Amen Thompson
Losses:
- Kenyon Martin Jr.
- Boban Marjanovic
The Rockets have had a very interesting offseason. They started by having an incredible draft, as they took a potential superstar guard in Amen Thompson and one of the No. 5-9-ranked prospects with the 20th choice, Cam Whitmore. Alongside Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alpernen Sengun and their rookies, the Rockets have five premier young talents. Houston also had a ton of money to spend and was simply ridiculous with said money. The organization signed a really solid guard for almost double his value in Fred VanVleet and a defender in Dillon Brooks at almost double his value, plus spent too much money for a reserve center and forward. The issue is that the Rockets were two-three seasons from the playoffs, and they still are.
Signings:
- LaMelo Ball- Grade: B+
- Miles Bridges- Grade: A-
- Frank Ntilikina- Grade: B
Trades:
- None
Rockets’ 2023 NBA Draft – Grade: A
- No. 4: Amen Thompson, G, Overtime Elite
- No. 20: Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova
Houston just drafted two guys who could easily have been taken No. 4 and 5, incredible. Whitmore is a fantastic young player, who would have likely been taken ninth, at the latest, if it weren’t for an injury most had no clue about until the 2023 NBA Draft. That is an obvious win for the Rockets, but the Amen Thompson pick is harder to analyze. He basically became the fourth selection the day of the lottery. and he fits them well; they have so much talent, but none at point guard. He is huge guard who is an athletic freak and an excellent defender with superstar potential. If Thompson can develop a jump shot and improve his ability as a point guard, he’s a star, and if healthy, Whitmore can be a stud as well. This was a dream scenario for the team with the most young talent in the NBA.
