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An early look at the 2018 Summer League for the Rockets

ByMichael Knight|
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Zhou Qi #9 of the Houston Rockets looks to rebound in a game against the Denver Nuggets during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Zhou Qi #9 of the Houston Rockets looks to rebound in a game against the Denver Nuggets during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2017 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Rockets begin summer action in less than a month as there is something new to this year’s league.

The Houston Rockets are just a few weeks removed from the season and there are already about to be more activities. Coming up quicker than it feels like it should is the Las Vegas Summer League.

Last year, the Summer League Rockets finished with a 2-3 record and lost in the playoffs. This year, many of the same players should return while a few new faces could join them.

While we’ll write more about what to expect and the full roster as the games come closer, today we’ll look at a few notes and expectations for the squad as they look to eventually contribute to the actual Rockets.

Let’s start with the regular season schedule:

The Schedule

July 6: Rockets vs. Pacers

July 8: Rockets vs. Warriors

July 9: Rockets vs. Clippers

Thoughts

It’s pretty interesting that the Rockets will get to face the Summer League Warriors this season. After falling to them in the playoffs, maybe the team can get a little revenge on Quinn Cook and the rest of the young team.

All 30 teams

For the first time ever, the NBA will have all 30 teams participating in the Las Vegas Summer League. Every game will be televised in some way, whether on NBA TV or on ESPN. This is a great way for the fun league to gain some popularity. I remember a few years back when you had to buy a subscription to watch, look at how far it has come!

General expectations

The Rockets, like every other team, take this league as a time to evaluate the young talent in the organization. While many of the players will be going to Rio Grande Valley afterward, standouts will occasionally make it onto the active roster.

Tarik Black was one of those standouts who made it onto the Rockets a few years ago before being traded. Last season, Troy Williams made the squad. It’s definitely possible and should be fun to watch.

Look for players like Zhou Qi and Isaiah Hartenstein to continue to show their worth to the team. They have been working hard all year to improve and we should be able to see their growth in a setting where they are less restricted.

Chinanu Onuaku has to show us something. This is now his third Summer League and he hasn’t made a huge impact yet.

Next: 3 free agents the Rockets should avoid

Be on the lookout for more Summer League posts as the season approaches!

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