Houston Rockets' GM illuminates team's longterm outlook

The Houston Rockets cannot escape blockbuster trade rumors.

That's what happens when you have a surplus of assets. The Rockets have an excessive number of future first-round picks. They have more exciting young players than they'll be able to pay. Those who connect the dots can only infer that they might look to consolidate assets for a superstar.

It doesn't help that the Rockets don't have a clear-cut franchise player. Alperen Sengun has been outstanding in the playoffs, but you couldn't say that his top-10 player status is a foregone conclusion. Amen Thompson has limitless potential, but his offense is raw. Jalen Green...

Yeah.

So, we're looking at a young team with surplus assets and no franchise player. The Rockets have to make a blockbuster trade, right?

Not so fast...

Rockets are willing to be patient

"We're not in the business of predetermining ceilings for our players."

-Rockets general manager Rafael Stone

In a recent interview, Stone went on to say that the Rockets would have a "very high bar" for acquiring a superstar. In his view, it's not worth blowing up this roster unless it's an opportunity the Rockets can't pass on.

Some Rockets fans will loathe those words. They want the team to make a big move as soon as possible. For others, it will be music to their ears. They've grown attached to this young core and want to see the rebuild through.

Both sides are biased by their fandom. That's understandable. They want what's best for the Rockets, and happen to have differing views on what that would be.

Which view is right?

Rockets need to consider all angles

It's tough to say.

Some have suggested that the league is trending away from top-heavy models. There's speculation that the NBA is morphing into a "weak link" league rather than a "strong link" league. Put differently, depth seems to be winning more, and simply having the best player in a playoff series doesn't seem to count as much as it used to.

That's true - but you'll still need a superstar to win a title. It may not be necessary to have a certified MVP candidate, but you'll always need a top 20ish player at a bare minimum.

That said, Sengun could be a top 20 player someday. So could Thompson. That feels farfetched for Green, but to his credit, he has improved. Who knows? Reed Sheppard could reach those heights.

So, it does make sense to stick with this group for the time being. If the Rockets stagnate, they'll have the assets to acquire a superstar. For now, the roster is too young and too successful for fans to get too thirsty over aging stars who help their short-term desires at the expense of the team's long-term goals.

Let people talk if they must.