As the Houston Rockets enter the 2025-26 NBA Season, they are set to finally contend, and, with the addition of superstar Kevin Durant to their roster, the team has now finally acquired the go-to scorer they need to get them there.
Meanwhile, their cross-state rival Dallas Mavericks, while also being poised in the direction of contention, are in a strange spot with their roster, and the Rockets can only laugh as they attempt to balance their underbalanced roster with the news of their PJ Washington extension.
According to Sam Vecenie on The Game Theory Podcast, first-overall pick Cooper Flagg is likely now set to start either at small forward or shooting guard, neither of which are his best positions and have serious potential to stunt both his development and Dallas's chances at fielding a competitive roster.