Rebuilding an NBA team can be compared to cleaning your room. First, you get rid of the things you don’t need, then start fresh. After remodeling, you can make the space into whatever you want.
An NBA rebuild usually starts with removing players who don’t fit the team’s future plans. After clearing cap space or gathering draft picks, the team can go in several directions.
The most common way is to build the team through the draft. Losing for a few years can lead to high draft picks, which the team then develops into star players or key contributors to a future playoff team.
Another option is to trade for established players. This approach has worked for some teams, but in the early 2020s, teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers tried to build superteams and failed.
The Houston Rockets are rebuilding using the first approach, and so far, things are going well. After trading their star player James Harden in 2021, the Rockets started fresh with three straight losing seasons.
During this time, Houston drafted a group of young players who have the potential to become stars, including Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. They also added promising talent through the draft, like Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick this year.
After a tough 22-60 season in 2022-23, the Rockets showed great improvement last season under new coach Ime Udoka, finishing 41-41 and nearly making the Play-In Tournament. Their 19-game improvement was the biggest turnaround in the league.
Instead of focusing on big-name players, the Rockets wisely brought in experienced veterans like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Steven Adams, who helped the team improve last season.
The coaching staff and players deserve praise, but the front office should also be recognized for building a great mix of talent. General manager Rafael Stone, who took over in 2020, has rebuilt the team in just five seasons. The Rockets are now looking to make a serious playoff push in 2025.
