Rafael Stone squandered the Rockets' best title shot with his inactivity

The Rockets failed to address their biggest need at the trade deadline, and it's come back to bite them since. Choosing not to add an experienced point guard is going to hurt Houston in the playoffs and potentially decimate their last great title shot with their current veterans. Keep in mind that leading scorer Kevin Durant is 37 years old and bound to regress eventually.

The Rockets wasted an urgent season they won't get back

It's been an interesting season for the Rockets, caught up in the midst of two timelines between Durant and two much younger stars in Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. The lack of proven playoff experience outside of Durant has even inspired rumors of speeding up the timeline by cashing in on younger players' upside. But a much easier fix would've been picking up a servicable point guard to organize the offense.

Durant is certainly in the twilight of his career now, and fellow Rockets veterans Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams (both 32 years old) aren't exactly spry chickens themselves. In fact, both have suffered season-ending injuries this season and VanVleet's ACL tear kicked off the whole mess of the Rockets offense. Time is ticking on this aging trio to compete for a championship.

The Rockets have done a great job establishing their cadre of 3-and-D role players for the present and future. But their roster construction was heavily flawed from the moment VanVleet went down. They've had to rely on less experienced guards, such as Reed Sheppard or Thompson, to run the offense. Expectedly, the results have been mixed as these guys grow into those roles. Choosing to stick with them rather than adding a veteran could cost Houston a year they can't afford.

The Rockets didn't need to make a splashy move either

Perhaps the most frustrating part of the Rockets' inactivity on the point guard front is the caliber of player needed. No one was asking for the Rockets to add an All-Star point guard, but rather a steady hand to organize the offense. All they really need from that position is someone to set up his teammates and hit open threes while playing solid defense. Think of how much VanVleet himself improves the team without being a superstar.

Rafael Stone seems to have his eyes set on a point guard emerging from the Rockets' young core. Perhaps Reed Sheppard will be ready for that role by start of the playoffs. But if not, Houston's decision to not add a point guard will loom large in any postseason disappointments. Hopefully, VanVleet can return to full strength and lead the offense next season. But that might be too late considering the age of some key Rockets.