Predicting where the Rockets will finish in the Western Conference next season

Minnesota Timberwolves

We nearly put the Wolves in the next tier. They're heavily favored to be better than Houston in 2024-25. The Rockets' odds of surpassing them are low.

Still, last year could have been a mirage for the Wolves. This team runs an unorthodox dual big-man starting lineup. It resulted in the league's best defense in 2024-25, but teams could have figured it out. If they have, the Wolves could look to move Karl-Anthony Towns at the deadline in light of a difficult financial situation.

Teams that will be better than the Rockets

Denver Nuggets

Sure, the Nuggets unceremoniously lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That hurts. It may impact their title odds negatively in 2024-25.

It shouldn't affect their ability to outpace the Rockets. Nikola Jokic still has a case as the best player in the world. The Nuggets are one season removed from winning an NBA title. They're a better team than the Rockets, and there isn't much to discuss.

Dallas Mavericks

On the subject of recent success, the Mavericks won the Western Conference last year. It was an underdog story - Dallas wasn't supposed to advance to the NBA Finals.

They were supposed to be better than the Rockets. That remains true in 2024-25. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the roster, the Rockets would need to make a blockbuster trade - or two - to leap Dallas in the standings.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Few teams are in a better long-term position than the Rockets. The Thunder are one of them. They have a much stronger team, and they have more assets. Life can be cruel.

This summer, they traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso. That's a massive win-now upgrade. Adding former Rocket Isaiah Hartenstein doesn't hurt either. The Thunder should be the favorites to make the NBA Finals this year.