As long as the kids get to the playoffs it will be really good experience for them. its a huge step still even if they drop first round. Remember all that hype for SAC a few years ago? Maybe same kind of scenario but Rockets do have FVV who shows up in the playoffs when he needs to.
Blessing in disguise that Jabari Smith Jr. fractured his hand and will miss 6 to 8 weeks. Amen Thompson will blossom into an all-star a lot sooner with starting minutes. Between Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green and Amen Thompson that's a fantastic young trio to build a franchise around. Also Reed Sheppard was sent down to the NBA G-League and erupted for 49 points, 8 threes and 6 assists. The kid can shoot and has game. Struggled to find minutes as a rookie on the Houston Rockets, and truthfully Coach Ime Udoka demands excellence (was tough for Cam Whitmore also) but young kids like Reed and Cam are both going to pay off in the long run.
The only negative right now is that Tari Eason continues to miss games with that leg injury. Two seasons in a row it's been a problem. We need Tari to be playing.
The Houston Rockets won again and are now 24-12. They moved back into the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. The team is incredibly full of trade assets, young talent and future draft picks from the Suns. So many options when it comes to trading for a potential superstar should one become available. Preferably Devin Booker next summer would be the ideal trade target. I think his game would take the Rockets to another elite level. But it's a great spot to be in right now even if they don't make any blockbuster trade.
The fact of the matter is the Rockets may not even need to acquire a superstar via trade. They potentially have 3 or 4 young all-stars blossoming as we speak. I'm thinking if things continue to go as well as they've been going the Houston Rockets will finally win another NBA Title by 2028. Their first since 1995. Third championship overall. They've got that type of ceiling to do great things in the future. This is only the beginning.
As far as De'Aaron Fox and Jimmy Butler. Sure, I'd take either via trade if the price is right. Chances are the Kings will want too much for Fox. Ditto with Miami for Jimmy.