What I have heard about the Rockets

With the Rockets decision to not pick up the option on Stephen Silas, I have asked around about what the Rockets plans are going forward. A lot of what I have heard is consistent with what the Rockets front office has leaked through the 4-5 reporters that they use to get their agenda public.

First, the Rockets have known for some time that Stephen Silas would not have his option year picked up. There have been a couple of times that the organization was close to relieving him of his duties, but ultimately decided there would be no reason to do so, as they intended to hire a head coach from outside the organization and any interim coach would not be back.

As for Stephen Silas, he was the head coach and certainly deserves some of the blame but he isn't alone. Silas failed to stand up to the front office when it came to decisions on who to play and how to play. Silas was a new coach and valued his relationship with the front office too much IMO. He had a hard time establishing boundaries and it has hurt him professionally. Further, Silas also struggled disciplining some of his players and establishing an environment of responsibility. He would defer to Lucas for discipline, and that lead to a lack of respect from his players and assistant coaches.

This is also a chance for Stone to learn from his mistakes as a rookie GM. He often over steeped boundaries, was too controlling and did not let his coaching staff do their job. All of those issues contributed to Silas' failure. Hopefully Stone learned from his mistakes.

The Rockets have interest in a head coach with experience and ideally a track record of success. The Rockets next hire will have a difficult time and will need to have a strong personality because the Rockets currently have a poor culture.

As far as the type of head coach? Jabari Smith, Jalen Green and Tari Eason all have asked for a head coach that is consistent and structured,and has clear rules and will treat everyone the same. That means the Rockets will want a strong coach, probably even one controlling. Most of the names mentioned in the media fit that mold. I personally have questions about whether the Rockets will be able to get someone like Udoka or Nurse. I have heard that the Sixers would have interest in both if they make a change. My gut is that someone like Frank Vogel is more likely.

As for the draft, the reporting out of the Athletic is consistent with what I have heard. Like everyone else on the planet, the Rockets would keep the #1 pick and draft VW. However, I also have heard the Rockets would likely keep the #2 and #3 pick in this draft. Outside of that, the Rockets would explore trades for young players at the end of their contracts that would be glue type players. You can speculate on who these players would be. The Rockets would like to trade the Clippers pick for an existing player or a future pick as well. Having said that, the Rockets can want to do all of these things, but I am not sure that they will be able to get the player in trade they want and may end up using their draft picks. This is viewed as a very top heavy but shallow draft.

As for Kevin Porter Jr., he is expected to be back in 2024. The Rockets sat him out his last game, and that would not have happened had the Rockets and Porter not been on good terms because it impacted Porter's bonus money.

The Rockets intend to pursue and they hope sign 1-2 prominent players. That would include just about anyone that is a big name player in free agency. James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Fred Van Fleet and others. The problem is that teams like Portland, LA, NYK, Miami, DAL, LAL, OKC, and SAC all are expected to be VERY involved in efforts to bring back big name players in trade or free agency. Not all of these teams have the cap space that the Rockets do, but they can create it. As far as trades are concerned, the Rockets and several other teams are waiting to see what Toronto does this off season. There are several players the Rockets (among others) like.

Stone should survive this off season, but is on the warm seat if not the hot seat. He doesn't execute his plan and have success next year, he is likely out of a job.

Random rumblings:

The Rockets have asked about Jalen Suggs in a possible trade with Orlando.

The Rockets have interest in Siakam and Anunoby on the Raptors. The Rockets would likely include their own lottery pick if it is outside the top 2-3 if Siakam enters the market. However a number of other teams would also have interest.

Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson are both players the Rockets covet. However, the cost of Bridges would be extremely high because of his contract and production after becoming featured in Brooklyn.

The Rockets and a handful of other teams including the Jazz have reached out on the availability of LaMelo Ball.


Overall:

I don't believe the Rockets are going to be able to execute a lot of what they intend to do. Still, I expect the Rockets to make moves to improve in free agency and coaching wise. I expect the Rockets to win 35 games next year and possibly more if they surprise in the lottery or getting James Harden.

The reality is that a lot of the Rockets rebuild hinges on if they get a top 2-3 pick or not. Even if they get the #3 pick in this draft, they may be able to cobble together that pick and more assets to get someone like LaMelo Ball who would fit the Rockets well.

 

Thank you for explaining how it impacts our cap this summer.

 

Understood, I was told that it impacts the Rockets spending this summer and Porter is in a good spot with the front office.

I am not as good at the bonus structures etc. as @heypartner or some others on here.