Projecting the ideal minutes allocation for the Rockets in 2024-25

It feels like it's been a long time since we saw the Houston Rockets in action.

That makes sense - it has been a long time. Still, the measurement of time is subjective. When you're anticipating something, those clock hands have a way of dragging their feet.

(Hands? With feet? Mix metaphors much?).

When you're anticipating something, you've got to keep your mind busy. That's what we've been doing. We've been thinking about how the Rockets should approach 2024-25 from several angles. Lately, we've been wondering what their ideal rotation may look like.

Here's what we'd do if we were Ime Udoka ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Rockets manage depth with creative rotation

PG: Fred VanVleet (30), Reed Sheppard (12), Amen Thompson (6)

SG: Jalen Green (30), Sheppard (10), Cam Whitmore (8)

SF: Dillon Brooks (25), Tari Eason (13), Thompson (10)

PF: Jabari Smith Jr. (26), Eason (12), Thompson (10)

C: Alperen Sengun (30), Steven Adams (14), Smith Jr. (4)

We doubt it's easy to do this for any team. Still, we're not sure if any other team in the NBA makes the process as onerous as the Rockets.

We'll also note that this is likely an unrealistic rotation. Read the title of the article again. We're not aiming to provide "the most realistic rotation for the Rockets in 2024-25" - this is our ideal rotation.

So, ideally, we'd cut Aaron Holiday out of the equation. We think Holiday is a sturdy veteran hand, but we'd prioritize finding point guard reps for Thompson, and any playing time - at all - for Whitmore.

Speaking of Whitmore, his potential should earn him more than 8 minutes per game. We understand that. Where will they come? The Rockets' wing rotation is more crowded than a New York subway during rush hour. As much potential as Whitmore has flashed, Thompson arguably had the most promising rookie season of any player on this roster - the Rockets have to find time for him.

Meanwhile, the situation at center is no less complicated. Frankly, Sengun has earned more than a default 30 minutes per game. Still, a healthy Steven Adams is a fringe starter - he's getting shortchanged at 14 minutes a night. Amid this chaos, the Rockets had too much success with Jabari Smith Jr. at the 5 last year to not explore those lineups at least a little bit.

So, we did our best. We understand that some of you will hate it.

Luckily, we're not exactly stalwart in our principles here.

Rockets' rotation should be fluid

Any change could create a domino effect that impacts the entire rotation in 2024-25.

Let's say Green is disappointing. Suppose his minutes get slashed. The Rockets could respond by handing more minutes to Whitmore.

They could also up Sheppard's minutes at the 2. That could mean reducing his minutes at the 1 and finding more time for Whitmore in the wing rotation.

Injuries will also be unavoidable. We're desperate for a healthy Tari Eason season, but another injury could provide Whitmore with an opportunity. If Adams needs a rest or two, that could create an opportunity to play Smith Jr. at the 5 more frequently, which could open up wing minutes for Whitmore.

We're exploring a lot of situations here - and most of them are negative. Here's hoping that Green has a breakout year, and the Rockets enjoy good health:

Even if that makes for a headache of a rotation for Udoka.