What the Rockets need to see in 2022 to have a new solidified starter

2021 was the first full year for the Rockets of the Kevin Porter Jr. point guard experience. Here's what we need to see to solidify that for the future.

Kevin Porter Jr. is going to be a very interesting watch for the Houston Rockets in 2022.

On one hand, his 2021 season showed a lot to like for a newly-converted point guard. Finishing the year with 6.2 assists per game and shooting .375 from beyond the arc is a nice way to show that Porter has the potential, but will we see it over a longer stretch and the gains to continue?

Can KPJ iron out some of the wrinkles in his game as a clearly-green point guard? 2022 is likely going to tell us a lot.

This Rockets team has mountains of growing to do. As much as it would be nice to say that the current young core plus the draft pick will be in contention for a playoff spot as soon as this year, the truth is pretty far from that.

This team is still a few years away from maturing to the opportunity of playoff contention as it stands, and the only legitimate player that is guarenteed to be on the roster for the future is Jalen Green.

KPJ could be a different story. A better point guard option could come available down the road, and the Rockets aren't in a position to turn down new talent if they aren't sold this year.

If Porter really wants to stay in Houston, he will need to continue the upward climb we saw through most of the year. Shoot well, especially from deep. Spread the ball out at an even higher and more efficient rate. Limit the turnovers.

None of this is out of the question for KPJ, which is part of the reason why it seems very likely that he is here to stay.

It isn't out of the question for the Rockets to expect .390-.395 from three and seven or eight assists per game from Porter in 2022. That is the type of player that will mesh well with Jalen Green and company and put this team on a path back to the playoffs.

Kevin Porter Jr. is obviously capable of making a name for himself. We hope to see him do it in a major way in this upcoming season.

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