Steven Adams can be returning to the Houston Rockets for subsequent season and past, because the veteran middle agreed to a brand new three-year, $39 million contract extension Saturday that can hold him in Houston and take him off the free agent market, based on ESPN.
The Rockets took one other step ahead within the 2024-25 season, incomes the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention after going 52-30 within the common season. Whereas they could not repay that common season success with a deep postseason run, dropping within the first spherical to the Golden State Warriors, it was nonetheless a powerful season from a staff filled with younger expertise.
Kevin Durant commerce: Spurs? Rockets? Timberwolves? Knicks? How these NBA groups might be able to land KD
Sam Quinn
The problem this summer time for the Rockets entrance workplace is figuring out who to maintain, who so as to add and who to commerce away or let stroll in free company as they attempt to hold enhancing the roster to be higher geared up to compete within the postseason. With Adams, the choice was fairly easy, as Houston was significantly higher when Adams was on the ground not simply through the common season but in addition of their collection with the Warriors.
Adams’ skills as a screener, rebounder and anchor defensively all match fantastically with the skills of the Rockets’ younger stars, filling gaps and plugging holes on this roster. There have been numerous groups hoping Adams would check the free company waters this summer time, together with the Los Angeles Lakers, who’re in determined want of middle assist, however Houston made certain to lock up Adams earlier than free company opened so they might concentrate on the remainder of their roster.
Far more troublesome selections lie forward for the Rockets, as they’re thought of one of many frontrunners for a Kevin Durant commerce, however should determine which of their younger gamers they’d be prepared to half with for the veteran ahead. Houston additionally has to determine what they wish to do with Fred VanVleet’s staff choice, as they might choose it up and produce the purpose guard again for another yr or attempt to lengthen him as effectively.
No matter they do the remainder of this offseason, we all know on the very least they are going to have the massive Kiwi again of their middle rotation, as they made {that a} prime precedence and have already checked that off the to-do checklist.
