Rockets officially dodged Brook Lopez bullet after Game 1 dud

It feels like a decade ago that the Houston Rockets brought Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks on board.

These players are woven into the Rockets' DNA. They wouldn't have morphed into a 52-win powerhouse without them. The Rockets decided they were finished tanking, targeted hard-nosed veterans to facilitate winning, and guess what? They started to win.

Steven Adams was part of that progression, too. The Rockets acquired the injured veteran last year with this season in mind. That said, he's not the only big man they had an eye on.

Brook Lopez was infamously close to donning Rockets red. It seemed that a deal was official before Lopez backed out to stay with the Bucks.

It looks like he saved the Rockets from themselves.

Rockets never needed Lopez

Against the Pacers in game one, Lopez had a modest 9 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes.

It should not be framed as if Lopez would be in Adams' role right now. When the Rockets nearly signed him, there was concern about how he'd impact Alperen Sengun's position in the pecking order.

At the time, Sengun's defense was viewed as a potentially fatal flaw. That doesn't necessarily feel like a decade ago. It was only during the 2024-25 season that Sengun answered critics. His defense this year has been the best of his career by far.

He'll never be the stationary rim protector that Lopez is. Sengun does not have the wingspan. That said, he's used his quick hands and surprisingly adept lateral mobility to defend at the level this year.

That's never been Lopez's strength. If the Rockets had signed him, they'd need to deploy a different defensive scheme on the floor. With the NBA's fifth-best Defensive Rating (110.3), it's fair to say that the Rockets are content with how that shook out.

Could Lopez even handle Adams' role?

Rockets' center rotation is perfect as is

He is a substantially different player.

The Rockets' double big lineups featuring Sengun and Adams together have been highly effective. That's specifically because of Adams' brawn. The Rockets overwhelm opponents with size, brutal screens, and rebounding dominance.

On a related note, Lopez grabbed 4 boards in 21 minutes last night.

Perhaps he'd have paired with Sengun in another way. Lopez's rim protection and floor spacing would complement him.

Should the Rockets regret passing on a $24 million a year backup big man?

Some people say that everything works out the way it's supposed to. They can point to Lopez's failed signing with the Rockets as evidence. The Rockets never needed him. Lopez's illustrious career is likely winding down, and Sengun's is just getting started.

He's lucky to have the right veterans around him.