Jackson Gatlin here, the host of the daily Locked On Rockets podcast, with your daily Locked On Rockets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Rockets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Alperen Sengun’s Rise: Why Rockets Star Should Rank Higher + Is Houston NBA’s Top Trade Destination?
Houston Rockets: Rising Stars and Trade Potential
The Houston Rockets are making waves in the NBA, with four of their young talents featured on ESPN’s Top 25 Under 25 list. It’s also becoming increasingly more apparent that Houston is the NBA’s number one trade destination. Let’s break down the rankings, what they mean for the Rockets trajectory and why Houston is such a desirable landing spot.
Alperen Sengun’s Potential
Alperen Sengun stands out at number 10 on the list, a testament to his impressive performance this season. His advanced metrics are among the best in the league, with only MVP-caliber players like Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of him in Box Plus/Minus. Sengun’s defensive prowess has been a key factor in the Rockets strong start, ranking second in NBA defensive rating. However, his finishing around the rim has regressed, which could be holding him back from climbing higher on the list. If Sengun can improve his scoring efficiency, he could easily surpass players like Tyrese Haliburton and Evan Mobley.
Houston: The Top Trade Destination
Houston’s appeal as a trade destination is undeniable. With a vibrant city atmosphere, no state taxes, and a coach like Ime Udoka, the Rockets are an attractive option for players looking to make a move. The team boasts a wealth of young talent and a treasure trove of draft picks, making them well-positioned to outbid other teams for star players. Unlike the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a solidified core, the Rockets have flexibility in their roster, allowing them to make strategic trades without dismantling their foundation.
The Rockets front office, led by general manager Rafael Stone, has done an exceptional job of positioning the team for success. While they are actively listening to trade offers, they are also patient, waiting to see which of their young players will develop into stars. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are considered untouchable, highlighting the team’s confidence in their potential.
As the season progresses, the Rockets have the opportunity to make a significant splash in the trade market. With $40.8 million in expiring or non-guaranteed contracts, they have the financial flexibility to acquire a star player without sacrificing their core. The key will be finding a player who complements the timeline of their young roster, avoiding over-the-hill stars or injury-prone players.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Houston Rockets rising stars and trade potential, tune into the Locked On Rockets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Rockets Podcast:
- Analysis of Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson’s rankings on ESPN’s Top 25 Under 25 list.
- Why Houston is the number one trade destination in the NBA.
- A preview of the upcoming Rockets vs. Warriors matchup.
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Rumor The Rockets are looking to make some moves to enhance their roster, scoping out players like Jonas Valančiūnas and Malcolm Brogdon. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Rockets head west to take on the Warriors tonight at 10:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Thursday, Dec. 05 | 7:00 PM | Chase Center (San Francisco, CA) | Get Tickets
Rockets @ Clippers
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 6:00 PM | Intuit Dome (Inglewood, CA) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Rockets (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Toyota Center (Houston, TX) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Rockets podcasts.
Alperen Sengun & Ime Udoka EJECTED, NBA Refs CALLED OUT After Houston Rockets Loss To Kings Breaking down the Rockets loss to the Kings, with Alperen Sengun and Ime Udoka both being ejected, that was marred by questionable officiating. Did the referees’ calls alter the course of this NBA Cup showdown?
Alperen Sengun Named Western Conference Player Of The Week + Houston Rockets Quarter Season Check-In Rockets center Alperen Sengun being named Western Conference Player of the Week, how the Rockets are gaining more national media spotlight and what that means for the organization, and where the Rockets stack up statistically through the quarter mark of this NBA season.
Fred VanVleet Drops 38 & Dillon Brooks Hits DAGGER In Houston Rockets STATEMENT Win Vs OKC Thunder Discussing the Rockets statement win against the Thunder, Dillon Brooks’ clutch game-winning shot, Fred VanVleet’s offensive explosion, Alperen Sengun flirting with a triple-double, shutting down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the fourth quarter and more.
