The Houston Rockets spent this summer making what feel like marginal moves, despite entering the offseason knowing exactly where they stood compared to the Western Conference elite. Seriously, is anybody else looking at their relatively quiet summer and wondering if they just don't get it? Sure, Kevin Durant and Fred VanVleet are back, which helps their internal standing, but they added Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović through free agency. From the outside, you have to ask: do they truly think these moves are enough?
Did Houston Really Miss a Golden Opportunity?
Let's be real, the big question still hangs over H-Town: are these Rockets, as currently built, actually good enough to hang with the big dogs like San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Denver, or Minnesota? What about the Lakers, who just bounced them from the playoffs? It felt like a wide-open chance for Houston to jump into the superstar bidding war for Giannis Antetokounmpo or even Jaylen Brown. They had the assets, they had the draft capital, they had everything needed to make a real run at turning the tables in the West. Instead, it looks like they're once again banking on their young core developing and just shoring up deficiencies elsewhere. Can Durant and VanVleet carry them like that? We saw what happened when those key pieces got hurt, right? The team just wasn't good enough.Fixing a Math Problem (Maybe)
Their second straight first-round flameout screamed one thing: they lacked depth. Injuries to guys like VanVleet and Durant totally exposed the roster, forcing players into situations they simply weren't ready for. The proof is in the numbers, and man, are they ugly. Houston was dead last in the playoffs in 3-point percentage at a brutal 30.2%. It wasn't much better in the regular season, ranking 28th in attempts and 25th in makes. So, bringing in Smart and Bogdanović, while sending Dorian Finney-Smith out, is clearly an attempt to solve that glaring math problem. They desperately need to boost that 3-point rate, especially if they're going to keep hammering away at the possession game. General Manager Raphael Stone even said during summer league, "We wanted to get more skilled. I wanted guys who could dribble, pass, shoot and defend. I think both [Smart and Bogdanović] can help us in those areas." It feels like a major shift from their old "best player available" approach to actually building a team with some intention and fit.The Risky Marcus Smart Gamble
Now, let's talk about Marcus Smart. This dude is entering his 13th season, clocking nearly 25,000 minutes. That's a ton of mileage! Adding him is a bit of a risky play, especially with his track record for injuries. He only played 62 games last season, though that was more than his previous two seasons combined, so maybe there's hope? For a little over $6 million a year, it's a gamble you can understand if you're hoping he can conjure up some of that playoff-rising play he's known for. But can he stay healthy enough to make a real difference? That's the million-dollar question for Houston and their quiet offseason. It's clear the Rockets believe these moves make them better, but the jury is absolutely still out on whether they've done enough to truly challenge the West's best.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.