After Harden left, the Rockets were 7 wins and 1 loss. Perhaps even the Rockets management did not expect that the Rockets still have such a strong competitiveness. Although the Rockets received a large number of draft picks and three expiring contracts, this does not mean that the Rockets can have a better future. In fact, the 76ers' offer to the Rockets seems to be better. After the Rockets get Simmons, they can raise the Rockets' defense to a higher level. Even so, the Rockets are now the league's best defensive efficiency team.
Wood + Tucker + Simmons + Tate + Wall, almost the best defensive 5-man team. Coupled with the bench Nwaba, Gordon, Michael Porter and Sterling Brown, the Rockets can at least easily make the playoffs. But it may also cause another problem, that is, the rocket's three-pointer may become the level of the league in the middle and lower reaches. Moreover, the Rockets do not have a singles outside player with a full range. But at least the Rockets with Simmons will be more competitive than the current rockets.
In fact, the Rockets do not need to worry. Even after 3 years, Wood and Simmons are only 28 years old, Tate and Sterling Brown are also not more than 30 years old, and Michael Porter is even younger. The Rockets now have more than 40 million U.S. dollars in salary space and multiple first-round signings in the future, which may not necessarily allow the Rockets to get an ideal core outside line. Moreover, if the Rockets want to attract superstars to join, they must first have at least one superstar.
Of course, all the Rockets’ problems start with Paul’s 4-year $160 million contract extension. The detail is that there were many teams pursuing Paul at the time, and the Rockets agreed to Paul's maximum salary extension before making Paul choose the Rockets. Therefore, Paul's injury in G5 has already declared the Rockets' failure. I have to say that this is indeed a fixed number.
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