Are the Rockets going to be able to flip the switch with perhaps signing some good players in free agency with Green, Sengun and others entering their 3rd seasons. What are the chances the Rockets make the playoffs 2 seasons from now?
It's possible but I think that will be the first year our goal transitions from exclusively youth development and obtaining young high ceiling prospects to development resulting in wins. We need to remain patient these next two upcoming seasons for a proper rebuild of talent though.
I mean the Spurs made the play in with 34 wins. If we get one of Chet, Paolo, or Jabari there's no reason to think we couldn't be capable of 34 wins. Well then again maybe not if Silas is still the coach. :/
I think there's a very strong chance we'll make the play-in. We can get from 15th best to 10th best with two off-seasons and one more season's worth of experience for the young guys and being able to put Wall's $40 million on the floor
Just to clarify, when I say be patient, what I mean is by 2023 I'd rather have the focus be more on building a team that could compete for many championships in the future than just making the playoffs
I think that's the first year this young core will flirt with making the play-in tournament. And without their first round pick in 2024, there will be no motivation to tank. But so much of whether they win or not will depend on players not currently on the roster, so it's impossible to really predict with their current roster. Gun to my head, I think they finish below .500 and squeak into that 9-10 spot, but don't get into the first round. In the West, two sub-.500 teams made it to the play-in tournament this year, so it's not a particularly difficult bar to reach.
Silas will be the X factor for that season the play in should be possible if we land a top 2 pick and actually pick someone capable of some defense. A lineup of Paulo/Sengun/?/JG/KPJ will be a layup line on D
Unfortunately, yes. Stone must convince TF to develop our youngsters and to use cap room after the salaries of Wall, Wood and Gordon expire for a big star player.
I think it's imperative for JG, Sengun, and the other youngsters to be on a competitive team in 2 seasons. It's the only way to maximize the development of these players in the right way. Surrounding those guys with winning culture and attitude is almost as important at that juncture in their careers as improvement on the court.
