What Will Be The Houston Rockets’ Identity In 2023-2024?

Much has been written about the Houston Rockets entering phase 2 of their rebuild. After a messy divorce from franchise centerpiece James Harden, the team endured three grueling seasons in which many would argue that the front office’s intent was not to win. That strategy yielded three consecutive top four draft picks, in the form of Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson. And then, armed with cash, free from the long term contracts of veterans John Wall and Eric Gordon, the team splurged in free agency, signing guard Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $128.5 million contract, and wing Dillon Brooks to a four-year $86 million contract.

With Houston owing its 2024 draft pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder (as a result of the ill-fated Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade), the goal next season, in 2023-2024 is very much to win. The question is what will the Rockets look like. Not only are there new pieces, but head coach Stephen Silas is out, replaced by former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.