The Rockets have emerged as a clear-cut threat to the defending champion Thunder atop the Western Conference.
Houston traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick, Khaman Maluach, to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant. Then the Rockets followed that blockbuster by reportedly signing floor-spacing big Dorian Finney-Smith and rim-runner Clint Capela.
The Rockets, who took the Warriors to seven games in the first round, were already one of the deepest teams in the league. They somehow improved their top-end talent while also arguably becoming even deeper.
Houston has extended Jabari Smith Jr., restructured Fred VanVleet’s deal, and retained veterans Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green. A projected starting lineup of VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Smith, and Alperen Sengun should be as dangerous as any starting unit.