The Houston Rockets might be the NBA's most fascinating team to watch over the next 12 months.
Four years removed from their last playoff appearance with James Harden leading the way, the Rockets climbed back to .500 last season by putting the right veterans around a core of young talent featuring six first-round picks since 2021.
Last season marked the beginning of "Phase 2" of Houston's post-Harden rebuild. Phase 3 could be even more remarkable. With only Dillon Brooks among their veterans under guaranteed contract for 2025-26, the Rockets could create sizable cap space next summer. Or they could use those expiring contracts and a stockpile of draft picks to trade for a star.
As those plans are playing out, Houston must also decide which of its budding stars to pay as their rookie contracts expire -- guard Jalen Green and center Alperen Sengun are both eligible for extensions now ahead of restricted free agency next summer. Those may, in turn, be informed by the play of the Rockets' more recent picks, including promising rookie point guard Reed Sheppard.
Let's look at what's developing in Space City -- and why the rest of the NBA should pay attention.