The Houston Rockets have decisions to make. Some of them will not be easy.
Is this the roster they want to move forward with? Some Rockets fans are vying for change. They'd like the team to make a blockbuster deal. Others think some more marginal moves could elevate the squad.
General Manager Rafael Stone has mostly disavowed roster changes. He's emphasized [continuity on multiple occasions](https://spacecityscoop.com/rockets-gm-hints-brilliant-decision-press-conference). Stone has seemed to prefer keeping the young core together over making changes.
A recent [quote has fans wondering](https://x.com/BradeauxNBA/status/1932107457267921179) whether his philosophy is changing.
Rockets GM might be open to change
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_**"I think continuity for continuity's sake isn't what we're trying to achieve. Continuity is great, but the goal ultimately is to build a championship team. And if we think that there's a move or a series of moves that make it more likely we will be that then, then we would ignore continuity, and we do those moves."**_
**\-Rockets GM Rafael Stone**
That marks a significant shift in Stone's tone. He has generally made continuity a priority. It makes one wonder whether he's got something in mind:
Or, something up his sleeve.
Rockets could be poised for big move
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This is purely speculative. It's an attempt to read the tea leaves.
Still, it feels odd to hear Stone speak this way. This is a man who plays his cards close to his chest. Stone is a lawyer by trade, and that's been evident in his dealings with the media during his tenure with the Rockets. There's reason to believe Stone is legitimately open to major roster changes:
Should he be?
Rockets can't rule anything out
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Absolutely.
The Rockets were not championship contenders in 2024-25. Everyone should be willing to concede that. That's not a problem for a team this young, but it's a reality that has to factor into the team's considerations.
They could invest in this group under the assumption that they can develop into a contender. That's a real possibility. The point is that it's not a certainty. So, if building a contender is the goal, moves can at least be justified.
That's not to say there's a dire need to make a move. The Rockets could "run it back" to prioritize continuity and internal growth. They should probably add a shooting specialist somewhere, but otherwise, they could maintain their rotation.
They also shouldn't turn down the right deal. The Rockets should be open to any move they think gets them closer to title contention. That could mean consolidating a large portion of this roster to land a superstar:
Even if that means making a difficult decision.