ROSTER RUNDOWN
The Rockets’ ample competition for playing time has led to tough decisions, and some players likely will be left out of the initial rotation. But it’s clear which players form the core of the team’s ongoing rebuild, while other roles are still to be determined. A look at the Rockets’ roster and expectations:
JOSH CHRISTOPHER
Position: Guard
Experience: 1
Height/weight: 6-5/218
Expectations: The Rockets would like to see Christopher play his way to a consistent role off the bench. He will get that chance, and the Rockets might have made that easier by keeping him at shooting guard without point guard responsibilities. But Christopher needs to become more reliably productive, reach his potential defensively and play without forcing things too greatly.
JALEN GREEN
Position: Guard
Experience: 1
Height/weight: 6-6/183
Expectations: Green said he hoped to be an All-Star, but that might be a bit much to expect this season. The Rockets would like to have him pick up where he left off after he averaged 20.7 points on 47.4 percent shooting and 39.3 percent 3-point shooting in the 32 games from Feb. 1 on. He has the green light to look for his shot even more often, as he did in the final seven games, with the hope he will be as efficient. After improving significantly defensively last season, the Rockets will often have him match up with point guards, hoping his quickness will make him more disruptive.
ALPEREN SENGUN
Position: Center
Experience: 1
Height/weight: 6-11/255
Expectations: Promoted to the starting center position, Sengun brings an outstanding low-post game, including unusually savvy passing. But the Rockets will need him to improve in areas that are not his strengths without the ball and on the defensive end. Finding the right mix of Sengun in the paint with the ball and moving or spacing without the ball can be a challenge, but he has the skills to make it work.
The greater question will eventually be whether he is up to the starter’s role and responsibilities defensively.
TARI EASON
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
Height/weight: 6-8/217
Expectations: It might have been unclear heading to camp where Eason would fit in the Rockets’ rotation. He has not only played himself into consistent minutes, it is difficult to get him off the floor. Eason has been outstanding on the glass, especially on the offensive boards. He has played with great energy. He has knocked down shots. But he has also played within himself, not getting out of control. The Rockets will provide every chance to see if that continues in the regular season.
KJ MARTIN
Position: Forward
Experience: 2
Height/weight: 6-7/216
Expectations: Martin seemed to be an odd man out as the Rockets repeatedly drafted players at his position. But then, they changed his position. Moving to small forward took him away from physical mismatches inside and let him use his improved perimeter defense. His athleticism is helpful on the break or offensive boards but a key to getting playing time could be improving on his 35.7 percent 3-point shooting.
JABARI SMITH JR.
Position: Forward-center Experience: Rookie Height/weight: 6-11/213 Expectations: The Rockets desperately needed Smith’s strengths as a range shooter and long, switching defender. If he can deliver that, he can help those around him in a variety of ways. His preseason ankle injury was a setback, but it came after an impressive preseason debut, and the Rockets were determined to give him time to grow. He already brings defensive determination and intensity that with his tools gives him a chance to be a rare rookie that lifts a team’s defense.
BRUNO FERNANDO
Position: Center
Experience: 3
Height/weight: 6-10/246
Expectations: Fernando went to the preseason with an exhibit 10 training camp contract. He not only played his way into a four-year deal, continuing his eye-opening play throughout the summer workouts, he will likely start the season as the primary backup center. Fernando gives the Rockets the rim-running style they have not had at the position since Clint Capela, but he will be expected to provide defense and rebounding first, and then mix in some lob dunks.
GARRISON MATHEWS
Position: Guard-forward
Experience: 3
Height/weight: 6-5/202
Expectations: Of the Rockets’ returning players, only Eric Gordon and Kevin Porter Jr. topped Mathews’ 36 percent 3-point shooting. There is potential to improve on that considering how often Mathews launched from well beyond the 3-point line. That led to a retooling of his shot to cut back on the leap forward and body turn. He worked as much on his defense by getting slimmer but stronger in the hopes to be quicker and tougher to back down.
JAE’SEAN TATE
Position: Forward
Experience: 2
Height/weight: 6-5/226
Expectations: Whether Tate remains a starter or comes off the bench, he is important to the Rockets for his ability to do so many of the little things with his unwavering intensity. To be a 3-and-D forward he would need to improve his 3-point shooting greatly, but he is such a strong ballhandler and passer, the Rockets hope to take advantage of teams dropping off him in ways beyond hoping that shots left open go in. As remarkable as is his ability to finish over much bigger defenders, he also defends big men well, making him a valuable rotation player.
USMAN GARUBA
Position: Center-forward
Experience: 1
Height/weight: 6-8/253
Expectations: After a largely lost rookie season filled with injuries and illness that limited him to 24 games and kept him out of summer league, Garuba showed encouraging promise in Spain’s run to the Eurobasket championship. He could figure as a small-ball center but could have difficulty finding minutes at forward. His defensive and rebounding tools are obvious, and he could bring passing to the second unit, but he is not a scorer at a position the Rockets could seek to develop Eason.
DAISHEN NIX
Position: Guard
Experience: 1
Height/weight: 6-5/239
Expectations: Nix went into the preseason off a strong summer and training camp as the backup point guard. He struggled to finish inside and with a sore back that has bothered him since summer league. He brings pick-and-roll ballhandling and a drive-and-kick game to the second unit but will have to show he can reward the Rockets’ confidence in his potential.
BOBAN MARJANOVIC
TREVOR HUDGINS
ERIC GORDON
Position: Guard-forward
Experience: 14
Height/weight: 6-4/238
Expectations: Coming off the best shooting season of his career, Gordon’s value has remained conspicuous, even as the Rockets rebuild with a rotation of players that could have less NBA experience combined than Gordon has. The Rockets last season were 13-11 when Gordon scored at least 15 points, 6-27 when he didn’t and 1-25 when he did not play. There is little reason to expect any falloff in his shooting or defense, but the Rockets would benefit greatly if he can play more than last season’s 57 games.
KEVIN PORTER JR.
Position: Guard
Experience: 3
Height/weight: 6-6/201
Expectations: Porter struggled at times to find the balance between playmaking and aggressively looking to score but seemed entirely comfortable with the role and backcourt chemistry with Green late in the season and in the preseason. He made 37.5 percent of his 3s last season but should be a more efficient finisher to make more than 41.5 percent of his shots overall. More often matching up defensively with wings seems to suit him better than with point guards. If he continues to put it together, he can be one of the keys to the Rockets’ rebuild thought still with a great deal to prove.
TYTY WASHINGTON
OTHERS TO WATCH
Boban Marjanovic, TyTy Washington, Trevor Hudgins
Expectations: Marjanovic seems likely to be a part-time player the Rockets call on when only his enormous size with the defensive rebounding and shooting touch that comes with it will do. Washington could push Nix for the backup point position but would benefit from G League time if not playing with the Rockets. Hudgins is on a two-way contract and will be a part of the Vipers’ pursuit of a fifth championship.