Houston Rockets Young Reserves Will Carry Higher Expectations In First Year Of Second Phase Of Rebuild

The Houston Rockets made major moves this offseason, providing their roster a facelift, signing veteran guards Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to massive paydays, and using their draft capital on Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, two of the most highly regarded prospects from the 2023 draft. They also utilized their remaining cap space to ink center Jeff Green and Jock Landale to more modest contracts and are expected to part ways with guard Kevin Porter Jr. in light of his pending legal troubles involving a domestic dispute.

But one move which hasn’t carried as much buzz was the July 1 trade of forward K.J. Martin to the Clippers for two future second round picks. Martin, who signed a four-year, $6.13 million contract with the Rockets back in 2020 is expected to earn $1.93 million in 2023-2024 after Houston exercised its team option on June 29 for the upcoming season, prior to the trade. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Martin was one of the standouts from the first three seasons of Houston’s rebuild, averaging 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on 54.5% shooting. Last season, Martin appeared in all 82 games, starting 49, averaging 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds on 57% shooting from the floor in 28 minutes per game. The trade came as somewhat of a surprise given Martin’s production, paltry salary, and synergy with Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green.

The trade opens up minutes for Tari Eason and Whitmore, one of whom will be the Rockets’ future at small forward. Eason averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season in 21.5 minutes en route to All-rookie second team honors. With Brooks expected to slide in as the day one starter on the wing opposite Green, it’s likely there just was no appetite to bring back Martin after he hit free agency, hence the trade.

Eason is a 6’8 physical specimen with the size and tenacity to be one of the best defenders in the league. But he must improve upon his 34.3% shooting from last season to become a true floor spacing threat to eventually win the position from Brooks. With Martin gone, Eason will get all the minutes he can handle this season.

Whitmore, on the other hand, projected to be drafted as high as fourth to Houston (with the pick the team used upon Thompson), can do everything. He has size, athleticism, a tight handle, and pure shooting stroke. He struggles passing as an initiator but he will not be expected to be a primary option in Houston. The expected trade of Porter probably impacts Whitmore more than any other Rocket as it was likely he might not have cracked the rotation otherwise. Barring a trade for a contributor, Whitmore stands to slot in as one of the Rockets’ primary wing options off the bench.

Now in phase two of their rebuild, the Rockets are looking to win games rather than just stockpile lottery balls. To do it, they could need to lean on some very young players on their bench.