Rockets equipped with all they need to dominate for years to come

The Houston Rockets are in one of the best positions in the NBA. They're built to contend for the NBA title now, and if they don't win it, they're built to compete for the title for years to come.

ESPN recently published an article ranking the top-5 teams in terms of future first-round picks. The Rockets ranked fourth. On that list, only one team has a better chance of winning a championship this year (more on that later).

That's a recipe for success - now and later.

Rockets built to win for years

ESPN does a nice job of breaking down the Rockets' near-term draft situation.

They point out that the Rockets owe their own pick next summer to the Thunder, which has top-4 protection. Once that pick (presumably) conveys, the Rockets will have finally paid the piper for the dreadful Chris Paul / Russell Westbrook swap.

After that, all the picks are incoming. ESPN identifies the Rockets' 2027 and 2029 Suns picks as their most valuable assets. The 2027 pick is intriguing in that it projects to be in the lottery, but the 2029 pick is enticing in that the Rockets receive the two best selections from Phoenix and Dallas.

So, life is good. The Rockets are sitting pretty. It's hard to imagine that any team in the NBA would be in a better position.

Unfortunately...

Rockets have one opponent in their way

Out of the three teams ahead of them, two aren't particularly bothersome.

Yes, the Nets have a lot of draft capital. They play in an advantageous market. They're also far behind the Rockets in the short term. The Nets' 2025 draft was widely panned. Even if they do build a powerhouse, at least they're in the Eastern Conference.

The same can't be said for the Jazz, but nobody in their young core has popped like an Alperen Sengun or an Amen Thompson. On the subject of market desirability - well, let's leave the rest unsaid. The Jazz could build a contender, but they aren't on the top of the Rockets' minds.

That would be the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They're effectively in the same position as the Rockets, only better. They have more future picks - oh, and they're the defending NBA champions. There's no denying that the Thunder are in the best position in the NBA.

That doesn't mean that the Rockets can't beat them. It does mean that they'll need to continue managing the team effectively. If the Rockets make the right decisions, they're well-equipped to win a title in the next half-decade or so.

That's one of the best positions they could possibly be in.