5 reasons why Rockets fans should embrace the rebuild

Yes, the Houston Rockets traded superstar James Harden and in return didn’t receive a package up to par with the usual acquisitions when trading someone of that caliber. Some may deem this trade as a “botch”, but in order to see how it plays out, the Houston Rockets need to see what the draft picks turn out to be.

The Houston Rockets need to start relying on the draft, being that they finally got draft capital in their possession. In order to do that, Tilman Fertitta and Rafael Stone need to go into a full rebuild.

5 reasons why Houston Rockets fans should embrace the rebuild

After trading former All-Star Victor Oladipo during Thursday’s trade deadline, the overall Harden trade doesn’t look so well for the Rockets. Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk are good players in their own right but they certainly don’t fit the Rockets’ direction.

Hence, why it’s believed that both players will either be bought out or leave in free agency. Since Olynyk has one year left on his deal and Bradley has a team-option, which most likely will be declined, it basically sums up the Harden package as extra cap space and draft picks.

Although this isn’t the ideal return for a superstar, it’s time for Rockets fans to just move on and look towards the future, for several reasons.

Next: No. 5

5. Jae’Sean Tate is the future for the Houston Rockets

Although a lineup of John Wall, Caris LeVert, Kevin Porter Jr, Jae’Sean Tate and Christian Wood would have been wonderful, it’s not going to happen and it’s fine.

The reason why it’s going to be fine is because the Rockets have what a lot of teams would love to have: money and draft picks. If the Rockets draft well, the future would look bright.

With young players like Tate, Porter Jr. and Wood, the Houston Rockets already have a young core to build around.

Jae’Sean Tate has been a crowd favorite, due to his intensity on both sides of the ball and shows flashes of a great two-way player in the league. At 25-years-old, Tate is averaging 10 points and five rebounds per game, shooting 52 percent from the field.

He is a little older than the usual NBA rookie, but he plays like a NBA vet. Also, lets not forget that Tate was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in 2014. The potential is clearly evident.

Next: No. 4

4. The Houston Rockets traded Oladipo to maximize Kevin Porter Jr.

The Houston Rockets acquired Kevin Porter Jr. from the Cleveland Cavaliers for basically nothing. Since becoming a Rocket, Porter Jr. has been averaging 15 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game on 42 percent from the field and 21 percent from three.

Although he hasn’t been really efficient, Porter Jr. has shown flashes of brilliance. His offensive style reminded tons of fans of Harden when he became a Rocket in 2012.

Porter Jr, has shown that he can create his own shots, handle the ball and get his teammates involved. It should be pretty safe to say Porter Jr. solidified himself as a main piece in the future of the Houston Rockets, being that he is only 20-years-old.

Porter Jr’s development went largely forgotten following Thursday’s news of Oladipo’s trade, as the focus was consistently on the return the Rockets got from the Miami Heat. But the reason why the Rockets reportedly made the trade in the first place was to allow Porter to be thrown in the starting lineup, which will help him develop chemistry with Christian Wood, while learning the guard position from John Wall.

Next: No. 3

3. The Houston Rockets have identified their star player

Christian Wood is pretty self explanatory. When Wood suffered an ankle injury, it caused him to miss 19 straight games. The Houston Rockets lost all 19 games.

Wood is averaging 21 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Wood is shooting 55 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

Prior to his injury, Wood was on path to making his first All-Star game as well as one of the leaders for Most Improved Player. The Rockets’ center is one of the most versatile big men in the entire league.

His ability to create his own shot from the post, mid range and three is a sight to see. Although he struggles defensively at times, he has shown he is capable of holding his own. Wood is 25-years-old and has shown he can increase his game to the next level every single year.

Next: No. 2

2. The Houston Rockets have a Big Three in place

The Rockets have a young and promising core that brings excitement. In addition, each player meshes well with each other.

Porter Jr is the ball handler that can go get a bucket when needed and create for others. Tate is basically the Draymond Green of the team, which means he does all the grinding and things that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Wood is the versatile big that can do it all, including stretching the floor. With these three players hopefully locked for the future, it’s time Stone starts finding different homes for the rest of the Rockets’ roster this coming off-season.

Trade Wall, Eric Gordon and the rest of the players that do not fit the criteria of a rebuild. If the Rockets were able to trade Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook’s contract, they can certainly move Wall’s.

Especially if he finishes off the season strong.

Next: No. 1

1. The Houston Rockets have a young, promising coach in Stephen Silas

Also, head coach Stephen Silas has been an assistant for 20 years in the NBA, but he is just 48-years-old, which isn’t old for a NBA coach. Silas fits the timeline for a rebuild in Houston, which is the perfect fit.

For the first time in a while the eyes of the Rockets’ fanbase will be glued to their television screen when its time for the NBA Draft Lottery. The Houston Rockets are currently 12-31 which is tied with the Detroit Pistons for the second-worst record in the entire NBA.

If the Rockets finish top-four in the lottery, they keep their pick. But if the balls don’t go their way, which tends to happen for some teams (sorry Knicks fans), the pick can go to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls out of the top-four.

Although it would be great for the Houston Rockets to land the projected number one pick, point guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State, the other options don’t seem bad for a plan B. Players like Jalen Suggs from Gonzaga, USC’s Evan Mobley, and Jalen Green and Johnathan Kuminga from the NBA G-League would also be great draft picks.

NBAdraft.net has the Houston Rockets selecting Jalen Suggs with the 3rd overall pick, which Rockets fans should be happy about. Let’s not forget that the Rockets also own the Blazers’ pick if it falls out of the lottery, due to the Robert Covington trade.

If the Rockets select Suggs or Cunningham, they would have their point guard for the future to pair up with Porter Jr. to form their backcourt of the future. And just like that, the rebuild would be off to a good start.

I understand it’s been a while since the Rockets have went through a rebuild, but it’s the best option right now. Being in a tough Western Conference makes the decision to rebuild a lot easier.

The moment has come to accept it and be excited for what the future holds in H-Town, and it all starts now.