27. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets made a couple of the biggest splashes this offseason when they signed both Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to big free-agent contracts. But even with those two quality veteran additions, I’m not sure they’re good enough to put the Rockets in the conversation to sneak into the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference. Houston’s playoff chances are likely going to come down to the continued progression of Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. If those two players continue to make big strides in their individual games, the Rockets have the surrounding talent to be somewhat of a surprising team this season.
But it would be foolish for that to be the expectation for the Rockets heading into the start of the season. Ideally, the Rockets would start the season ranked toward the bottom of the league standings and slowly work their way up.
There’s also a scenario this season where the Rockets emerge as one of the most exciting teams to watch but also one of the most frustrating young teams in the league. Either way, the Rockets are a team to keep an eye on. Another disappointing season would be quite deflating for the franchise. Especially after the big moves they made this summer.