Houston Rockets: Contenders?!

This off-season, the Houston Rockets made a big splash. They brought in superstar Kevin Durant to team up with Alperen Şengün, who is coming off an All-Star season. Along with Amen Thompson, who was able to show signs of stardom on both ends of the floor. With his defensive versatility, ball handling, and flashes of scoring. The Rockets had a strong defense last season, making them a deep team. But, they needed a player to lead in scoring which made Kevin Durant perfect. Houston not only got their main scoring threat, but surrounded him with great talent.

The Rockets made a smart choice by extending Jabari Smith Jr. after getting Kevin Durant. As the third pick, he truly deserved that big contract. Bari deserves his flowers for taking the back seat and even coming off the bench for Houston. His playoff performance was impressive. He excelled in both scoring and defense. Smith Jr. excelled at hitting his threes and mid-range jumpers. KD is a perfect mentor for the young big man who can improve his ball handling and get a big role. Rafael Stone got a great deal by signing Jabari Smith Jr. to a five-year contract worth $122 million. Jabari was a good extension, along with Fred VanVleet getting a payday.

Fred VanVleet got his new deal for a two-year $50 million dollar deal. The veteran point guard will have a smaller role this season. Kevin Durant and Şengün will be the main scorers, which will leave Freddy to be a playmaker and a defender. FVV is on a team-friendly contract, which could help them make a deal in the future. The Houston Rockets are in a great spot. They’ve signed Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet to new contracts along with bringing in a returning Clint Capela.

A returning Clint Capela is great to see. The Rockets will continue using their winning duo of Steven Adams and Alperen Şengün. Stone and Company decided to double down on it by signing Clint Capela. The aging veteran is good at the pick and roll, and it will be fun to watch how he plays next to Alperen. A solid rim protector too, which is a positive for the team. Houston's depth this season looks great. Adding Dorian Finney-Smith was a smart move.

It was a loss for the Los Angeles Lakers to lose Dorian Finney-Smith, but a win for the Rockets to get him. A perfect backup forward for Kevin Durant, DFS fits what Houston needs to win. A perfect two-way player who can hit his threes and guard the opposing player fits in Ime's system. The veteran forward has playoff experience. He will fit well in any lineup the team wants to implement. The Rockets have stacked up in the forward spot by adding Josh Okogie.

Josh Okagie will be solid next season as he adds a defensive edge to an already good defensive team. Houston has a strong defense, and this is an ideal situation for the 26-year-old player. It will be interesting to see how he gets his minutes next season. And kept some of their depth in tact.

Rafael Stone was able to keep his depth intact. Since 2019, Jae'Shawn Tate has been a good role player for the Rockets. He is a good two-way player who can play with full energy. Aaron Holiday, the brother of Jrue, played good minutes off the bench and now finds himself getting a new deal. Jeff Green, who is at the tail end of his career, gets another deal, as he can have a good influence in the locker room. The Houston Rockets have invested in their depth, and they look scary.

The Houston Rockets are looking awesome next season. Kevin Durant was traded and has been chasing a championship since 2018. Now, Reed Sheppard hopes to step up and earn more playing time next season. And the Rockets have kept all their depth together, which is a win. Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder need to watch out for the Rockets. Their star power and depth are impressive. Houston is one of the most exciting teams next season!

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