After 0 wins and 2 losses, the Rockets are even worse? The first-round pick in 2026 is difficult to secure, and they provide assists to the Thunder.

The Rockets are one of the few teams in the league that have never won. Everyone has seen the results of the two games. The Houston Rockets, who were originally considered to be strong contenders for the championship, embarrassingly achieved a record of 0 wins and 2 losses. In fact, it is a bit unscientific to say this, because in the long regular season of 82 games, losing only two games does not necessarily mean that this team is not good. But judging from these two games, the Rockets do have many problems that need to be solved. The problem with the No. 1 position has greatly magnified the Rockets' shortcomings.

What is even more speechless is that the defensive system that the Rockets relied on to win last season seems to have been completely disrupted. Without VanVleet, the perimeter defense expert, Dillon Brooks, the forward leader, and even Jaylen Green, who has improved rapidly on the defensive end, the Rockets' defensive system seems to no longer exist.

Although they seem to have a lot of defensive players, compared with the two games this season and the games last season, it is obvious that the Rockets cannot perform at the level of last season on the defensive end. In terms of rebounding, the second game was also completely defeated by the Pistons. This was the result of the Rockets arranging three centers in the starting lineup. Without the Rockets' towering lineup, the Rockets would definitely lose more rebounds.

In addition, in terms of protecting the basket, the performance of Shen Jing and Adams was also difficult to meet expectations. Because in the previous game against the Pistons, the Pistons blocked 11 shots in a single game, while the Rockets had only two blocks. The Rockets' defensive problems at the basket were also noticed. After 0 wins and 2 losses, it is not the end of the Rockets, because the Rockets still have a lot of adjustment time. If not, the Rockets can still start the transaction until December. There are many players that can be traded away, such as the two young players Ethan and Shepard, as well as veterans such as Capela, Tate, and Jeff Green. The Rockets can trade them away in exchange for a needed point guard.

However, in the more than a month before that, the Rockets must find a way to win as soon as possible. They must be patient and develop a new offensive system. Otherwise, the Rockets may not even make the playoffs this season. Now after 0 wins and 2 losses, the Rockets are facing considerable pressure. You know, Udoka just renewed his contract with the Rockets this summer, and the Rockets also renewed the contracts of Durant, Smith Jr. and other players. If nothing happens this season, the Rockets' lineup and coaching staff are expected to be adjusted.

What makes the Rockets even worse is that it is estimated that it will be difficult to keep the Rockets' first-round pick in next year's draft. According to the news, the Rockets' 2026 first-round pick is only protected by the top four picks. If the Rockets cannot get the top four picks, then the first-round pick will be given directly to the Thunder. The Thunder can use their own picks and the first-round picks of the Rockets and Clippers to pick the two best (that is, the highest) picks for their own use.

This first-round pick came from the Paul-Westbrook deal that year. The Rockets were so hot-headed that they traded Paul for Westbrook and multiple first-round draft picks. But Westbrook only played for the Rockets for one year before being eliminated, and Paul is getting more and more weird as he gets older. The Rockets also sent out multiple first-round picks, including next year's first-round pick. Originally, the Thunder were already strong enough. They started the regular season with three consecutive wins and a record of 3 wins and 0 losses. The Rockets will also "assist" the Thunder in the offseason next year and send them a draft pick to make the already extremely powerful Thunder even stronger.

With a super-class lineup coupled with the constant supply of first-round picks, the Thunder may dominate the NBA for many years to come. It may be quite difficult for the Rockets to get ahead in the Western Conference.