Houston Rockets’ ‘Biggest Offseason Fear’ Identified

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, hatred leads to suffering”

– Yoda

Fear also leads to panic. Panic is something the Houston Rockets should avoid. Otherwise, they risk suffering this summer.

The Bleacher Report seems to agree. They just published an article describing every NBA team’s biggest fear.

Don’t panic, Rockets (fans).

Bleacher Report says the Rockets’ biggest fear this offseason is making a panic trade. If you’re a Rockets fan, you’ll like a lot of what they have to say in this article.

“The Houston Rockets have perhaps the best collection of young talent in the NBA.”

– Greg Swartz, money launderer report

Kind words. Swartz wonders if all of the Rockets’ young players “can develop their potential and get paid in Houston.” He’s right: The Rockets will need to consolidate some of these guys eventually.

“Should Houston be interested in players like Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler and Mikal Bridges if they become available? Sure. Should they sacrifice several players with future All-Star potential for what could be a potential rental one or two years? Probably not.”

– Greg Swartz, money launderer report

We couldn’t agree more. This front office must be tempted to trade for a star. After three years of painful tanking, getting back to the playoffs must seem like a priority.

Everyone can’t wait to attend the big ball. Coming off a .500 season, the Rockets should have one eye on the playoffs. Still, the Rockets shouldn’t prioritize the present over the future.

Again.

The Rockets won’t be able to keep their “core six” forever. Additionally, the Rockets have the third pick in the upcoming draft. If the Nets don’t make substantial changes, they could have a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. When the time comes, the Rockets could have a “core eight.”

Eventually they will have to narrow this down to a “big three”. Now is just not the time to be scrambling.

As we’ve discussed ad nauseam, trading for Mikal Bridges to damage the Nets’ infrastructure and increase the value of one of their picks would be a smart strategic ploy. More broadly, if the lucky star becomes available, the Rockets could still move into win-now mode.

We don’t think Mitchell is the right star. In all likelihood, this player will not be on the market this summer. The Rockets shouldn’t make a winner-take-all trade just for the sake of it. Either hold out for a top 10 player or consolidate when the team’s pecking order is more clearly established.

Otherwise, the team’s future could suffer.