The Houston Rockets have gone four consecutive seasons below .500, the longest such stretch in franchise history.
However, given the team’s improvements this offseason, Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes believes the Rockets will finish next season with a 44-38 record.
“In addition to returning a deep, young core that includes Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, Houston has a real Rookie of the Year contender in Reed Sheppard,” Hughes wrote. “In terms of internal development alone, a three-win improvement almost seems like an overly conservative estimate for this group. But then again, we’re dealing with the Western Conference. The Rockets could look significantly better in 2024-25 and finish with a win total in the low 30s. Improvement in the NBA isn’t always linear, especially when it comes to winning percentage.”
A 44-win season would likely earn the Rockets a spot in the play-in tournament, and while that’s not the team’s goal, it would be a step in the right direction and better than what Houston has been able to produce in recent seasons.
They’ll be battling in a tough Western Conference, but given the depth of the team and the development potential of its young players, Houston should be a team to watch for a move up the standings when the season begins in October.
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