1 Key goal for every member of the Houston Rockets' "core six"

There's no ambiguity about what the Houston Rockets' goal will be in 2024-25. This team will be looking to make a playoff push.

That's the next logical step, right? In 2023-24, the goal was to improve. With a 19-game increase in wins, the Rockets were the most improved team in the NBA.

In a sense, continued improvement will be the goal. If the Rockets had won 5 more games, they'd have punched a ticket to the play-in tournament. That type of improvement should be achievable in 2024-25.

The team will be leaning on internal development from each of their young players to clear that bar. There's certainly room for improvement for each of them. Here's one goal for each member of the Houston Rockets' "core six".

Cam Whitmore - Increase Assist %

We've harped on Whitmore for this. We know. Just don't expect us to stop harping until something changes.

Whitmore doesn't have to morph into a passing virtuoso. That's an unreasonable expectation. What he does need to do is improve his ability to move the rock.

In 2023-24, Whitmore had an assist % of 5.8. That simply will not do. For context's sake, Jalen Green's assist % was 17.0, and Fred VanVleet's was 31.2.

Whitmore should be creeping towards 15% in 2024-25. If he can't keep the offense humming, he's likely to lose his place with this team. There's too much young talent on this roster for Ime Udoka to indulge Whitmore's worst instincts.

Tari Eason - Stay Healthy

What else can we say about Eason?

He treats offensive rebounds like air - he doesn't want them, he needs them. Eason is a terror in the passing lanes. He's one of the best rebounding wings in the league, a potentially elite defensive playmaker, and he spaces the floor.

None of that matters if he can't stay healthy. Sure, we'd like to see some developments in Eason's game. It would be beneficial if he could create his own shot in the halfcourt. Still, we'll be content if he could thrive in the parameters of his pre-existing role in 2024-25.

We know he can do it - as long as his body allows him.

Jabari Smith Jr. - Shoot 40% From 3

Among NBA fans, there's a tendency to categorize all 3-and-D wings in one box. That isn't fair.

We knew Smith Jr. was a 3-and-D wing coming into the league. He was supposed to be a unique type. At 6'11" with exceptional lateral mobility, Smith Jr. was supposed to be an especially diverse defender.

He's flashed that potential over his first two years in the league. Still, some more consistency on the defensive end would do him a lot of favors. That's fair - but elite shooting might be even more beneficial for Smith Jr.

Is 40% a lofty bar? You bet. Why not reach for the stars? On a Rockets' team that's starved for shooting, Smith Jr. could etch out an invaluable place for himself if he was able to meet that threshold. After shooting 36.3% in 2023-24, a 4% increase shouldn't be out of the question for Smith Jr.

Jalen Green - Maintain League Average Efficiency

So far, inconsistency has been Green's calling card. With that said, throughout much of 2023-24, Green was somewhat consistent - he was consistently poor.

Then, March happened. During that month, Green averaged 27.7 points per game on a blistering 49.2% shooting from the field and 40.8% shooting from long range. It was the best month that a single member of the Houston Rockets has had since James Harden was in town.

It may have been enough to appease the trade demons. Still, it's worth noting that the Rockets faced a remarkably easy slate of opponents throughout the month. Green isn't going to average 27.7 points on elite efficiency throughout 2024-25.

Nobody should be expecting that. Still, Green needs to be more efficient than he was throughout most of last season. If he could maintain league-average efficiency with comparable volume to 2023-24, he'd emerge as one of the league's rising young stars.

Amen Thompson - Develop Handle

Were you expecting a shooting-related goal?

Fair enough. We're not going to bother looking up Thompson's three-point percentage from 2024-24. We respect ourselves, and we respect our readers.

Sure, it would behoove Thompson to improve his jumper. Let's take it one step at a time. With an improved handle, Thompson could function as a primary playmaker in lineups where the Rockets get spacing from the 5. That could come by way of an improved Sengun, or Ime Udoka could maximize lineups where Thompson shares the floor with Smith Jr. at the 5.

In that event, we'll know if Thompson can at least operate as a true point guard alongside a stretch big. Sure, playoff defenses will still scheme him out of the game as a primary playmaker. Thompson still has off-ball value - and he can start working on his jump shot next.

Alperen Sengun - Make All-Star Game

Yes, Sengun has other goals. In some respects, they could be encompassed in this larger goal.

If Sengun improves his three-point percentage, he should make an All-Star team. If he improves his defense, he should make an All-Star team. See what we're driving at?

It doesn't matter if Sengun is invited to the midseason dance or not. This is a good goal for Sengun to set because he's likely to fill the remaining holes in his game if he sets it.

Still, let's be honest - it would be fun to see a Rocket in the All-Star game, right? Sengun was close in 2023-24. Next season, he should make it his goal to represent Space City in the world's biggest exhibition game.