The Rockets five core questions during the offseason: Adams Life and Death Tribulation and Double Star Contract Renewal

1. Adams stays and leaves: offensive and defensive choices for the inside moat

(I) Playoff inspection: From "the top of the deal" to "the patron saint of the penalty area"

Steven Adams: stays and leaves of the inside pillars

On the 2024 trading deadline, Steven Adams joined the Houston Rockets as a "injury spare tire", but became a key factor affecting the situation in the playoffs. In a seven-game series with Golden State Warriors, his "Twin Towers Combination" with Alperen Shinkin scored 20.6 points per 100 rounds. Adams, who was shooting 60%, averaged 5.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, led the team with offense and defensive rebounding (14.6%) and net efficiency (14.1). This "black, hard and thick" inside deterrent power provides important support for the Rockets' regular season defensive efficiency ranking fifth in the league.

Contract Game: The trade-off between salary space and long-term planning

Adams' salary this season is only $12.6 million. As a full free agent in the offseason, his market value is likely to soar to an average annual average of more than $20 million. The Rockets face a difficult choice: if Adams is let go, Shin Kyung will lose his most suitable defensive partner and it is difficult to find a player with the same tonnage in the free market; if you choose to renew your contract, the Rockets will need to balance the VanVleet's 44.9 million team option (triggering luxury tax) and rookie contract renewal. ESPN salary expert Bobby Marks pointed out that whether Adams stays in the team is directly related to whether the Rockets continue the "two-tower system" or turn to the small ball lineup.

2. Jabarri Smith Jr. renewed contract: Tanhualang's positioning and contract considerations

The transformation process from "first starter" to "sixth man", Jabarri Smith Jr., as the 2022 Tanhua Show, has been regarded as the cornerstone of the Rockets' reconstruction since entering the league. He has always occupied the starting position in 194 games in the first three seasons and is a stable force on the team's forward line. However, this season, with the rise of Amen Thompson, Smith gave up the start at the end of the season and started the role of the "Sixth Man" on the bench. The challenge of character transformation is inevitable, but Smith adapts quickly. In the bench lineup, he shot 49.2%, three-point shooting percentage was 37.2%, and his net efficiency value reached +7.9. The advantages of his off-ball style were fully demonstrated and became an efficient scoring point in the connection stage. However, Smith's performance fluctuated in the playoffs. When Jaylen Green's offense was blocked and the team urgently needed a second scoring point, Smith's shortcomings in holding the ball were fully exposed. Facing the opponent's high-intensity defense, its lack of breakthrough ability and low singles efficiency limits the Rockets' offensive choices at critical moments.

Contract expectations: Prudent trade-offs between qualification quotations and long-term options

This summer, Smith ushered in a critical period of early renewal. As a space-type four-position, his technical characteristics are in line with the level of fit in the current league forward competition landscape. On the one hand, his three-point range can open up the offensive space and create breakthrough opportunities for his teammates; on the other hand, the lack of independent offensive ability makes it difficult for him to output stably under complex defense.

Rockets management is in a dilemma. At present, executing the 2026 team option and converting Smith into a restricted free agent is a relatively safe choice. In this way, the team can continue to observe his role adaptation in the Uduka tactical system, and then make long-term plans after his technology is mature and his role positioning is clear. The Athletic expert Leroux pointed out that if the two sides cannot reach a four-year contract renewal contract of about 80 million this season, the Rockets will most likely choose to "live for a year." After all, locking in long-term high salaries for a player who has not yet fully realized his talent is risky for the Rockets, whose salary space is already tight.

3. Ethan's contract renewal: the value revaluation and contract strategy of 3D puzzles

From "First Round Legacy" to "Almighty Warriors", Tari Ethan, the player selected by the Rockets in the 17th pick in the first round of the 2022 draft, was not widely favored by the outside world at first. However, he completed a major transition from "fringe player" to "core puzzle" in the Rockets lineup.

This season, Ethan performed well in statistics, averaging 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, and shooting as high as 48.7% from the field, setting a career high. On the offensive end, he has the ability to score internally and externally, has a stable output outside the three-point line, and can also break through the inside with a strong body to complete the end; on the defensive end, his mobility is particularly outstanding, and the 20-meter-20-meter-long arm span allows him to switch to defend speed guards on the outside, and in the inside, he can make timely defense and compete for rebounds, which is a key link in the Rockets' defensive system.

In the playoffs, Ethan's value was further highlighted. In the key game, he was full of energy, and he cut the ball without the ball and tear open the opponent's defense line many times to add vitality to the team's offense. When he was on the court, the Rockets' defense intensity increased significantly, disrupting the opponent's offensive rhythm and becoming a flexible and changeable "universal patch" in Uduka's tactical system.

Price-performance ratio: The best decision for middle-class contracts

With Ethan's rise, contract renewal negotiations are put on the agenda. Unlike Jabbarry Smith, Jr.'s contract renewal, Ethan's idea of ​​renewing the contract is relatively clear. The Rockets have a salary advantage and still have 80 million buffer space from the luxury tax line, occupying an initiative in the contract renewal negotiations.

From the market perspective, Ethan's defensive value is particularly scarce in the small ball era. This 3D forward is a puzzle that teams in the championship are eager to get.. This decision will determine whether the Rockets will strive for the championship at the moment or move forward steadily with the future.

Conclusion: Finding the optimal solution between balancing and gambling

The Rockets' offseason is a critical period that concerns the future direction, and every decision is crucial. Adams' inside deterrence is the foundation of the team's defensive system, and whether he stays in the team directly affects the strength of the Rockets' inside line; the contract renewal of Jabarri Smith and Ethan is related to the future development of the front line, and their growth trajectory will determine the Rockets' front line limit.

Van Vliott's team options are a key variable in the salary structure. Whether or not it is implemented will not only affect the team's current competitiveness, but also determine the salary trend in the next few years. Draft picks and superstar pursuit are important means for the Rockets to break through bottlenecks. Used properly can make a leap. If you are not careful, you may lose all the game.

The Stone team is standing at the intersection of reconstruction and championship competition, and needs to find an accurate balance between "striking" and "let go". This not only tests his professional basketball qualities, but also tests his courage and determination. From rebuilding a dark horse to winning the championship, the leap from rebuilding a dark horse to winning the championship is hidden in every detail decision. This offseason is destined to be a key turning point in the history of the Rockets. We will wait and see how it writes a new chapter.