The Houston Rockets are at a crossroads following their first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. General Manager Rafael Stone and Coach Ime Udoka are expected to address the media soon, and key decisions loom. The biggest question revolves around Fred VanVleet, whose $44.9 million team option for next season must be exercised quickly. VanVleet expressed his desire to stay with the team, while Udoka emphasized the importance of his leadership. Additionally, the Rockets might explore acquiring a star player like Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo, given their young core's potential.

With Steven Adams emerging as a playoff standout, retaining him amid his impending free agency is a priority, but a bidding war is likely. The Rockets must also decide on extending contracts for Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason post-injury. The upcoming NBA Draft holds significance as the Rockets possess a lottery pick, contingent on their trading history. They need to assess if this pick will be used to bolster their roster or traded for immediate upgrades.