With the NBA playoffs underway and the Houston Rockets taking on the Golden State Warriors, it may be a good time to take a look at how this Houston team was built.
The Rockets finished the regular season with a 52-30 record in one of the most competitive conferences in league history.
But how exactly did this team come to be?
To start it off, Houston took a chance on current head coach Ime Udoka after he fell into trouble during his time with the Boston Celtics. After the reign of Daryl Morey was lifted off the franchise, Rafeal Stone took over as General Manager, and since then things have been a lot different.
Stone made an immediate impact drafting Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green in the 2021 draft. These two players came in and had a great effect on the franchise, but not enough had been done.
Fast forward to the 2022 NBA draft, the Rockets had the No. 3 pick and were eyeing a 6'10 big man who handled the ball and could shoot from way beyond the arc, Jabari Smith Jr. -- who fits perfectly into the athletic stretch big mold that today's NBA loves.
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Houston then drafted Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in 2023, tallying three straight great drafts for Stone and the Rockets.
To finalize the roster, the Rockets added Dillon Brooks, Fred Van Vleet and Tari Eason while maintaining a veteran balance with guys like Jeff Green and Steven Adams.
Houston's total payroll ranks 20th in the league at a little over $171 million, which means they make the most of their money.
All in all, the Rockets have quickly built a deep, balanced roster through smart drafting, savvy veteran additions, and a cultural reset under Udoka. As they square off against Golden State, it is clear Houston’s rebuild is no longer a work in progress.
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