Houston Rockets: Who should be the Rockets starting five 2.0

Houston Rockets Power forward: PJ Tucker

The biggest concern with the Rockets’ starting five, thus far, is its lack of a dangerous 3-point artist. P.J. Tucker’s ability to knock down corner threes will be crucial to the Rockets’ starting unit’s spacing and overall offensive productivity.

On an individual level, Jae’Sean Tate or David Nwaba likely deserves to have this spot as their own, but lineups need balance and Tucker provides that for this unit.

It is likely that Tucker will find himself in the rumor mill as the trade deadline approaches but if he can continue to knock down his threes then the Rockets might be in a position to ride out his contract and see how they fare in the playoffs.

Tucker, at this stage of his career, is likely the worst player in the Rockets’ starting five but he might be its most important player. It’s impossible to have an effective offense without the spacing that clinical 3-point shooting provides.

For the season Tucker has hit 39.1-percent of his threes and as long as he’s doing that, this is his position to lose. Expect Tucker’s availability through trade to be commensurate with the Rockets’ place in the standings, as his skill set is one they cannot afford to lose.

Next: No. 1: Center