The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons have, until recently, followed similar rebuilding trajectories. Then the two franchises took diametrically opposed paths heading into this season. The Rockets decided to spend huge sums on quality veterans and role playing depth. They sacrificed any flexibility in their immediate cap sheet and easy playing time for its stable of young players. In their place were vets like Dillion Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, and Jock Landale.
Without much reservation, you have to say it worked just as intended for the Rockets. They enter play today with a 15-15 record, stability up and down the roster, still armed with multiple pieces worth building around in Alperen Sungun and Jabari Smith Jr.