The Houston Rockets’ offseason plans haven’t been made clear. The Rockets could go in a number of directions, as they’ve got glaring roster needs.

Last season’s team lacked playmaking guards, not to mention the Rockets’ lack of outside shooters. The Rockets lost the math game essentially every night. And they could use more shot makers (and shot takers) in general. 

From a roster standpoint, the team needs major upgrades. They can’t expect another season like this from Kevin Durant.

And they can’t expect Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to make all the difference and fill all of the voids. They’ve even admitted that.

However, the messaging regarding what Houston intends to do this summer has been very inconsistent, especially if you’ve been keeping up with General Manager Rafael Stone’s media appearances since Houston’s early postseason exit.

During Houston’s end of season presser, Stone essentially stated that Houston would be running it back, save for marginal moves intended to shore up the tail end of the roster. 

“In terms of the roster, we’ll look at everything and look at all potential deals but we think that the players in our locker room can win alot of games and be very competitive. 

We have players coming back from injury that will help us. If we bring back largely the same group, continuity will help us.”

Stone and Ime Udoka sat side by side and emphasized the importance of internal growth from the Rockets’ younger players, across the board. Udoka’s quote is below.

“For us, I think improvement across the board with our young guys…not making any changes, that’s growth from those guys. Getting everybody back healthy, that’s part of it.”

Stone then joined the Ryen Russilo podcast and seemingly said something entirely different. 

“Hopefully, we get healthy and we’ll work really hard this summer at bolstering the roster. Maybe there’s things we can do that help us a little bit and come back next year and hopefully we’re a much better team.”

Perhaps this is all just a matter of conjuring. Maybe Stone doesn’t want to show his hand. 

Understandably. 

Once you make it known that you’re looking to move a player, they lose value, as an asset. Because teams know you’re ultimately wanting to rid yourself of said asset and they may not be as inclined to offer top value.

The messaging has certainly been inconsistent and a bit difficult to follow, regarding whether the Rockets intend to run it back or make an aggressive, franchise-defining move. They likely want to find another bargain, like last year’s deal for Kevin Durant. 

That seems unlikely. Especially on the star front.

Donovan Mitchell and/or Giannis Antetokounmpo — the stars on the market this summer — won’t come cheap. It’s been suggested that Houston could try to make a move at those players.

Regardless, Houston’s brass can’t afford to simply run it back and bank on internal improvement and/or development. They’re going to have to be active, if they hope to get on the same tier as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs — who sit atop the Western Conference.