{"id":206179,"date":"2025-08-01T00:42:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T00:42:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/206179\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T00:42:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T00:42:11","slug":"1-final-move-rockets-must-make-to-complete-2025-nba-offseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/206179\/","title":{"rendered":"1 final move Rockets must make to complete 2025 NBA offseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an NBA offseason packed with surprises, perhaps no team flipped the script more dramatically than the Houston Rockets<\/a>. For the past three seasons, the Rockets were widely seen as a rebuilding squad<\/a>, cultivating a highly athletic and exciting young core. But in the span of a few weeks, general manager Rafael Stone pulled off a shocking transformation: turning Houston from a playoff hopeful into a legitimate Western Conference contender. Their roster overhaul began with a jaw-dropping trade for Kevin Durant<\/a>, a 36-year-old future Hall of Famer who is still playing at an All-NBA level.<\/p>\n

Then came Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a>, a seasoned 3-and-D wing with playoff mileage. The Rockets rounded things out by bringing back former franchise center Clint Capela<\/a>, now slotted in as their third-string big man behind Steven Adams and Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn.<\/p>\n

Gone are Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Jock Landale. The Rockets also parted ways with Cam Whitmore and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. And yet, despite those departures, it\u2019s hard to argue Houston got anything less than a major upgrade across the board.<\/p>\n

Still, for all the brilliance shown by Stone and the front office, one question remains unresolved. Who is going to be the floor general for this potential title contender?<\/p>\n

Final Rockets move to complete 2025 NBA offseason: The PG gap that could cost them<\/p>\n

As currently constructed, the Rockets possess a deep, versatile, playoff-ready roster. Durant adds elite scoring and gravity. Finney-Smith enhances their wing defense and spacing. Capela ensures they remain physical inside and provides insurance for Adams.<\/p>\n

But no matter how good the rest of the rotation looks, contending teams need one thing above all else come April: a dependable, steady point guard, a player who can control tempo, initiate offense, and get the ball to scorers in their preferred spots. VanVleet accepted a pay cut this offseason<\/a>, a sign that even he understands his time as a 35-minute-per-game starter is coming to an end. He\u2019s still valuable in 15\u201320 minute spurts, especially in the playoffs. However, he can\u2019t be the full-time answer.<\/p>\n

Houston Rockets loading up this offseason \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/KMzs72tTCb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rockets may already have that player<\/a> in-house in Amen Thompson. But they might also need to look outward for additional help, and options like Malcolm Brogdon<\/a>, Monte Morris<\/a>, and Malik Beasley<\/a> are all available in the 2025 free agency to varying degrees. Let\u2019s break down each candidate, assess their fit, and explain why this decision could define Houston\u2019s entire 2025-26 campaign.<\/p>\n

Amen Thompson: The internal gamble for the Rockets<\/p>\n

No one doubts Amen Thompson\u2019s ceiling. At 6-foot-7 with elite athleticism, elite passing instincts, and defensive upside, he was selected No. 4 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft to be Houston\u2019s lead guard of the future.<\/a><\/p>\n

In limited opportunities last season, he flashed jaw-dropping speed in the open court and some dazzling passes in the half-court. But he also looked raw. His jumper remains unreliable. His decision-making still oscillates between brilliant and reckless. And he has yet to experience the mental strain of leading a team with championship expectations.<\/p>\n

Amen Thompson: SCARY ATHLETICISM \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n

You know about his All-Defensive chops\u2026 but the @HoustonRockets<\/a> rising star also ROCKED THE RIM last season! pic.twitter.com\/dsowNfT4ti<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the catch.<\/p>\n

If this were a rebuilding year, handing Amen the keys would be a no-brainer. But Kevin Durant is 36. Steven Adams is 32 and coming off major surgery. Dorian Finney-Smith is on an expiring contract. This team isn\u2019t playing the long game anymore.<\/p>\n

For Houston, the question is not whether Amen Thompson is talented; it\u2019s whether he\u2019s ready now. If he falters in November and December, the Rockets could find themselves losing ground in a ruthless Western Conference. And with no true point guard alternative on the roster, that\u2019s a gamble they may not afford to take.<\/p>\n

Malcolm Brogdon: Rockets’ smart and sensible solution\"WashingtonMandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Malcolm Brogdon might be the perfect fit for Houston\u2019s final puzzle piece.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s 6-foot-5, strong, poised, and has years of experience running offenses. Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 and has career averages of 15 points and nearly 4.7 assists per game, shooting 46.3% from the field and 38.8% from deep.<\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t need the ball to be effective. He doesn\u2019t turn it over. And he\u2019s perfectly comfortable deferring to stars, like Durant, \u015eeng\u00fcn, and Jabari Smith Jr., while still hitting big shots when the defense collapses.<\/p>\n

Monte Morris: The low-maintenance stabilizer\"PhoenixMandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

If Brogdon is off the table or deemed too risky, Monte Morris represents a quietly excellent backup option.<\/p>\n

Morris is the definition of a game manager. Over his career, he averages just 1.1 turnovers per game, an astonishing figure for a full-time point guard. He shoots well from deep (36%), makes smart reads, and always keeps the offense humming.<\/p>\n

Morris won\u2019t sell jerseys. But in the playoffs, he might win Houston a couple of games just by keeping the ship steady.<\/p>\n

Malik Beasley: A scoring guard with playmaking potential?\"DetroitMandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Of all the names on this list, Malik Beasley might seem the most unconventional. He\u2019s traditionally been a shooting guard known for floor spacing, not a classic table-setter.<\/p>\n

But Beasley quietly averaged 2.6 assists per game last season and improved his on-ball decision-making. In three-guard lineups, he\u2019s shown the ability to act as a secondary ball handler and even initiate sets in a pinch.<\/p>\n

Free agent deal?
If Beasley, Morris, and Malcolm are still unsigned or lingering on the veteran minimum market, Houston could scoop them up for next to nothing. It\u2019s a low-risk swing with clear upside.<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s time to complete the roster. Bring in the right point guard, not a star, just a steady hand. That\u2019s the last piece of this championship puzzle.<\/p>\n