Rockets' performance guarantees that they will hold off on controversial move for now

As the Houston Rockets have now played through their first 11 games, their 8-3 record has come on the shoulders of their emergence as one of the most lethal offensive teams in the NBA: a development that has come despite the concerns of their most vocal critics.

Although the Rockets have not been perfect early in the season, and certainly still have some wrinkles that they need to iron out, this start should be enough to stave off rumors of their trading for a point guard, at least as long as things don't go south between now and when their trade restrictions expire in mid-December.

While the team has, admittedly, been somewhat turnover-prone, their ability to move the ball and maintain sufficient spacing has been impressive given the lineups they are running, and, for now, it seems as though this will be their recipe for success.

The Rockets will likely exercise caution as the season wears on

With superstar-caliber scorer Kevin Durant on the roster, everyone knew that the Rockets were poised to make a leap on offense this year. However, almost no one expected them to undergo the ascension they have.

Through their first 11 games, Houston is first in the NBA in offensive rating, first in 3-point percentge and first in offensive rebounding percentage, and, apart from a tough loss to the San Antonio Spurs in NBA Cup action, they have not lost a game since their 0-2 start to the season.

Durant and Alperen Sengun have been especially impactful, and Sengun's rapid development as an offensive facilitator has helped fill the void of starting point guard Fred VanVleet's absence tremendously.

Yet, rumors continue to swirl of the Rockets potentially trading for a guard, and, as players such as Ja Morant and Jared McCain become hypothetically available on the trade market, these will only intensify as the season wears on.

Nevertheless, if there's one thing we know about this Ime Udoka-led team, it's that they value their identity above all else. Although the trade for Durant was certainly an aggressive move, it was a carefully thought-out one that did not sacrifice the team's budding young core in exchange for a win-now promise.

If the season had began differently, and that 0-2 start had dragged out in a disastrous fashion, you could likely bet on Houston being aggressive on the trade market when their trade restrictions expire on December 15th.

Yet, this team has shown their ability to be effective offensively even playing Amen Thompson at point guard, and it is still realistic to believe that this team has championship hopes without the need to make a trade. Therefore, as interesting as it might be to weigh the emerging options for the Rockets, do not bet on them to make a move until the need absolutely reveals itself.