Rockets should absolutely re-sign Steven Adams. I believe Stevo is the biggest offseason priority, even over Fred Vanvleet. If Rockets need to overpay to retain Stevo, then they need to do that. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/2025-offseason-rockets-pay-fred-220931691.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall That said, Rockets still need a backup plan. Even if Adams is re-signed, load management will be critical to ensure that Stevo is healthy in postseason. Rockets have an excellent opportunity to improve starting 5 (especially offensive efficiency, productivity and rim protection) by adding a championship caliber upgrade at starting 4 at little to no cost, perhaps even assets returning. Celtics are literally giving away Kristaps Porzingas due to Tatum injury but more importantly, to get under 2nd Apron. “The prevailing thought among league executives is the Celtics will need to include draft capital in a trade offloading Kristaps Porzingis’ $30.7 million expiring contract,” Evan Sidery of Forbes reported in a post on X. “Boston is very open to moving Porzingis as their top goal will be to dodge the second apron this offseason.” https://nesn.com/2025/06/celtics-rumors-boston-open-trading-kristaps-porzingis-theres-catch/ Udoka has experience with load management for injured players (see Steven Adams, Tari Eason, etc.) and adding Porzingas would require patience. The goal is to have your key personnel ready and at their best for the postseason, Udoka has already proven to be a master at this. A healthy Porzingas offers +20 PPG, 1.5 BLK and +40% from 3P. Rockets in: Kristaps Porzingas + 2026 FRP (from BOS) Celtics in: Dillon Brooks + salary cap relief (almost 10M) Nets in: Jock Landale + 2027 SRP (from HOU) Celtics add starter to replace Tatum next season, improve defense and 3P is still elite. But mitigating Porzingas salary to get under 2nd Apron is critical. Rockets could even further assist Celtics by taking on Sam Hauser's 10M contract without sending back any salary. A third team could be roped in with Rockets sending them SRP + Nate Williams/Aaron Holiday. PG: Fred I Reed SG: Amen I Jalen I Cam SF: Sam Hauser I Tari PF: Kristaps Porzingas I Jabari Smith C: Alp I Stevo
