The Rockets' most irreplacable veteran may not be who you think it is

The Houston Rockets have taken an unorthodox approach in building this team.

Typically, we expect a franchise to be all-in on youth, or all-in on veterans. The Rockets took a middle ground. Without access to their upcoming draft picks, they opted to surround the 7 best young players they drafted when they did have control of their draft with quality vets.

The results speak for themselves. The Rockets are on pace to be the second seed in the Western Conference in 2024-25. That said, the approach does lend itself to some complications.

How will the Rockets replace these veterans? As they begin to pay their core guys, they'll need to shed salaries. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks may see time in different uniforms before their playing careers are finished.

Yet, one veteran, in a way, will be even more difficult to replace.

Rockets will miss veteran big man

Surely, I'm not referring to Steven Adams?

I am.

It sounds crazy, but the Rockets have grown reliant on Adams recently. In his last 10 games, New Zealand's finest is playing 18.2 minutes per game. During those minutes, he's averaging 6.9 rebounds per contest.

Ime Udoka has found new opportunities to play Adams in dual big lineups alongside Alperen Sengun. With those lineups succeeding, Adams is on the floor more. I combed CleaningTheGlass for lineup data, but I'll save you the trouble:

The overwhelming majority of lineups featuring Adams are positive - if not dominant.

How is he making such an impact?

Adams brings unique skillset to Rockets

It's not that Adams is "better" than Brooks or VanVleet. It's that his skillset is less replicable.

Adams's 22.5 Offensive Rebound % isn't just high - it's on pace to be the highest in NBA history. Those rebounds have been critical to Houston's success. Their ability to generate extra possessions has compensated for an otherwise underwhelming half-court attack.

The notion that the success of Sengun/Adams lineups is instructive to future lineups could be misleading. The Rockets could draft, for example, Khaman Maluach and see if he can play with Sengun, but they need to understand that Maluach will never rebound like Adams. He could be more impactful in other areas, but those lineups won't be the same.

Ultimately, the skt isn't falling. Adams is 31. If the Rockets want, they can likely bring him back for the next couple of seasons as they work on a succession plan. They may make a blockbuster deal that changes the whole complexion of the team anyway.

Still, they should be mindful of Adams's impact. It won't be easy to replace. The Rockets may have to think outside the box:

Luckily, that's something they're comfortable doing.