The Houston Rockets entered last offseason with championship aspirations, swinging a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant that sent shockwaves through the NBA. The aging superstar delivered immediately, proving he still had plenty left in the tank. But even before the playoffs, the Rockets faced an uphill climb when Fred VanVleet went down with a torn ACL.

That injury forced everyone on the roster to step up—a tall order for a team that was, and still is, defined by youth and inexperience. Second-year guard Reed Sheppard found his footing in spots, but he wasn't ready to fill VanVleet's playmaking void. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Alperen Şengün all shouldered enormous two-way responsibilities. The results were, predictably, a rollercoaster.

The Rockets managed a 52-30 record, good for fifth in the Western Conference, fueled by an eight-game win streak to close the regular season. They looked poised for a playoff run, but the Lakers ended their hopes in six games in the first round—and Durant missed five of those contests with knee and ankle issues. It was a bitter end for a team that believed it could contend.

Now, with another summer ahead sooner than expected, Houston has some tough decisions to make. The biggest question mark revolves around fourth-year forward Tari Eason. His energy and defense have been invaluable, but his next contract will come at a significantly higher price tag.

On the draft front, the Rockets hold late picks in a class that's thinned out as more prospects return to college thanks to NIL opportunities. The strategy here is simple: swing for upside. And if the highest-upside players happen to be guards, that's a bonus—especially given the uncertainty at the point guard position.

Presumably, VanVleet will exercise his player option, giving the Rockets some stability at the one. But if they want to take the next step and truly compete for a title, they'll need to reshuffle the deck just enough to turn potential into production.