Creating a four-step offseason plan that would bring the Houston Rockets back to relevance in the Western Conference next season.
Before the 2022-23 NBA season, there were many that believed the Houston Rockets could emerge as a dark horse playoff threat. That belief was grounded on big jumps in development that Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun were supposed to make. Along with the hype and possibility surrounding the addition of Jabari Smith Jr. While there were some bright moments for the Rockets this season, both individually and as a team, they didn’t make near the jump that many expected them.
In fact, the Rockets finished in a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the second-worst record in the NBA. In the end, this season didn’t end up being the step forward that the franchise was hoping for. The hope is that can be different next season. Heading into the offseason, the Rockets will have their work cut out for them in trying to steer this franchise in the right direction.
And I believe that can happen this summer. In an attempt to get the Rockets back to a place of relevancy in the Western Conference, we create a four-step plan for how this team can win the offseason and emerge as a competitive team next season.
Step 1: Hire Ime Udoka as the team’s next head coach
One of the first things that the Houston Rockets have to do this offseason is finding a new head coach. And I believe that they’ve already interviewed the candidate that they should hire – Ime Udoka.
Assuming Udoka has cleared the background checks on his situation that took place with the Boston Celtics, and you’d have to assume that he has considering he’s been interviewed, he would be a great hire for the Rockets.
He was one of the best coaches in the league last season and helped take the Celtics to the NBA Finals. He had some really bright moments as a coach in the playoffs last season, highlighted by going toe-to-toe with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Udoka is young and experienced at the same time and clearly has respect from around the league. If the Rockets are serious about competing next season, perhaps Udoka is the coach to get them there.