3 Ways to improve the Houston Rockets' offense

In 2024, most NBA contenders are built on the backs of their offense.

Nobody informed the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets aren't fun to watch - unless you're a Rockets fan. Their 106.0 Defensive Rating ranks second in the NBA. The Rockets have bullied the opposition en route to a 21-11 record.

That's fine - but two-way teams rule the roost in the postseason. The Rockets' Offensive Rating of 105.9 is 13th in the NBA. That's a sufficient place for now, but the league's most serious contenders tend to place inside the top-10 in both categories.

Besides, Houston's Offensive Rating is being buoyed by their offensive rebounding (their Offensive Rebounding % of 35.1% leads the NBA) and low turnover rate (13.7 turnovers per game, 8th in the NBA). Those are valuable traits, but they'll be relatively easy to solve for elite defenses in the postseason.

Here are three ways the Rockets can make their offense a bit trickier.

1. Pass the ball more

A dynamic offense typically involves a lot of passing. So it shouldn't come as a shock that the Rockets are dead last in the NBA in passes made per game (264.4).

They also land 30th in Assist Percentage (53,9). The Rockets need to design some sets that has the ball moving more frequently. Fans shouldn't expect that shift to start with their starting point guard.

That's not a (severe) knock on Fred VanVleet. It's a product of his style. VanVleet seldom turns the ball over, and that's been integral to the Rockets' success. That said, he's especially risk-averse. Some would say his brand of offense has a high floor, but a low ceiling. A less generous way to describe it would be low risk, low reward.

On that note...

2. Increase Alperen Sengun's usage

Sengun is underutilized.

It's not an egregious oversight. Sengun's Usage Rate of 25.4% is ahead of VanVleet (19.6%) and practically identical with Jalen Green (25.5%). Sengun isn't the invisible man in this offense.

Still, if Ime Udoka's pecking order is based on meritocracy, Sengun merits more usage. He's the most dynamic playmaker on this team. Good things happen when Sengun touches the ball, so why not give him the ball more often?

As it stands, LaMelo Ball leads the league in Usage Rate at 37.6%. Nobody's advocating for Sengun to reach that level - a heliocentric offense isn't necessarily desirable - but increasing his rate by a few percentage points could sneak him into the top-30. Shaving those points away from VanVleet and Green should give the Rockets a better attack.

3. Acquire some shooters

This is the simplest solution - in theory. In practice, it requires the Rockets to make a trade.

Disregard the complexity of the solution. This is the most essential tip we have for Rafael Stone. This roster will not survive a playoff series as constructed. The Rockets must add shooting.

Their not just a poor three-point shooting team. The Rockets are the second least accurate three-point shooting team in the NBA. Their three-point percentage of 32.7% trails only the Magic.

This doesn't necessitate a blockbuster. The Rockets could flip one of their veterans on an expiring deal and some second-round draft capital for a shooting specialist. If they don't, they shouldn't expect much success in the postseason:

Defense can only take them so far.