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Houston Rockets: Heading into the offseason playing the ‘what if’ game

By Michael Saenz

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on from the bench in the first quarter of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center on May 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 28: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets looks on from the bench in the first quarter of Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center on May 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets have an offseason full of questions, on top of playing the “what if” game after falling to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the WCF

Despite playing the Golden State Warriors to a Game 7, this summer is going to be extremely tough for the Houston Rockets.

Not because this was likely their last deep playoff run – they could just be getting started – but because they have some very difficult decisions to a make. And one of them likely included their pursuit of LeBron James.

Before that, though, they need to figure out how to process the Chris Paul injury. This is what I like to call the “what if” game.

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It’s something that the Rockets have to play, and answer sooner rather than later – NBA Free Agency begins July 1.

The big question that the Rockets need to answer is quite simple: If Chris Paul was health for Game 6 and 7, would the result have been any different? 

If they firmly believe that a healthy Paul would’ve been enough to close out the Warriors in either Game 6 or 7, then perhaps they decide to not change the roster up much. Still, that could be tough to do.

Paul, Tervor Ariza and Clint Capela – three key components of this current team – are all free agents this summer. Locking them all in could be costly, and perhaps impossible (without corresponding trades).

Then there’s the whole LeBron issue.

If the Rockets want to chase LeBron, they will likely have to gut their roster. And if they want to re-sign Paul and pursue LeBron, it gets even more difficult (again, without corresponding trades and/or sign-and-trades).

The Rockets have their work cut out for them this summer, and the way they were eliminated by the Warriors makes it all the more difficult.

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On the other hand, the good news is that they’re close. Considering we were talking about how the Warriors could win the next 5-6 NBA Championships, that’s extremely encouraging for parity in the NBA – even if it’s just one team that has a realistic shot at beating them.

Nevertheless, this summer should be fun.

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