4 Questions the Rockets need to answer before the trade deadline

4. How creative is Ime Udoka?

Looking at this roster, it doesn't scream "pick-and-roll". Fred VanVleet does not apply elite rim pressure, and Sengun is not a substantial lob threat.

Yet, the Rockets ranked 7th in the NBA in ball-handler pick-and-roll frequency (17.7%). That refers to possessions in which they ran a pick and roll, and the guard attempted a field goal.

What about possessions where the big man took the shot? The Rockets ranked 3rd at 7.3%. So, the Rockets were one of the most pick-and-roll dominant teams in the NBA.

What gives? There are certainly more optimal ways to use Sengun. He commands a double team on the low block, and he's got the floor vision to find the open man. The Rockets could also use him further away from the basket as a dribble hand-off hub. That seems like a strategy that would get more out of Green.

Either way, the Rockets' 113.7 Offensive Rating was 20th in the NBA in 2023-24. It's possible that Udoka wanted to simplify the offense for his first season with this young group. If that's the case, we should see more wrinkles in their attack in 2024-25.

If not? The Rockets may need to trade for a game-breaking offensive talent sooner rather than later. If Udoka is a defensive mastermind with limited offensive range, the Rockets may need an offensive player who makes the game plan as simple as possible:

They may even need to get him at the deadline.