The Rockets will still be an incredibly good team next season

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SAN ANTONIO,TX – APRIL 1 : James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets talks with teammate Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets while Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets,L watches the game at AT&T Center on April 1 , 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

Many people in the media are downplaying the offseason that the Houston Rockets have had so far. I’m here to say that the team will still be elite and has a great chance of contending.

The Houston Rockets have had an interesting offseason so far, to say the least. They didn’t manage to re-sign defensive pieces Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. To compensate for that, they signed James Ennis and Michael Carter-Williams and are actively looking for one more defensive player via a trade.

To make up for the offense lost from these guys, the Rockets have practically agreed to a deal with Carmelo Anthony to join the already-strong team on that end.

The Rockets did, however, accomplish their main goal this summer: Re-signing both Chris Paul and Clint Capela. Paul was an expensive get, and rightfully so, at four-years, $160 million. Capela came a bit cheaper for the team at five-years, $90 million. The team now has their core of Harden, Paul, Capela locked down for the foreseeable future.

Oh yeah, the same core that was 53-7 when they all played together.

Media criticism

Houston has garnered quite a bit of criticism from the media for this offseason. From radio to daily shows, the team has been slandered as ‘worse’ and that they cannot compete with the Warriors anymore. They say Carmelo will not work out in Houston. While that very well may happen, they still will be just paying him the minimum contract, so benching him or cutting him isn’t costly.

Disappointment in the Rockets’ offseason is a common theme among talk shows and podcasts as the team lost two excellent defenders. How much impact did they have with the squad?

Next: Ariza's impact