How The Rockets Rebuilt From Nothing

In this video I talk about how the rockets rebuilt from the James Harden era to today.

[@undertherim5124]

daryl morey wasn't the gm when james harden was traded it was rafael stone. My bad guys got confused because i forgot the season started in December that year.

[@asianangler]

so morey left before harden got traded?

[@undertherim5124]

Yes

[@NOJSIP]

@@undertherim5124 NP my man

[@NOJSIP]

@@asianangler Yeah...he snuck out of town...bolted to Philly after making a mess of the Rockets. Don't see Philly going anywhere either.

[@asianangler]

@ watch philly fire him after the season when philly miss the playoff

[@ajac4093]

We don't need to trade. This team is learning how to play together. This is already the start of a future dynasty if they keep the team together as is.

[@truepower3652]

Dynasty? Lets dont get ahead of ourselfs.

[@robertlongoria6677]

Dynasty?😭 yall only too 3 cs 90% of the west is injured 😭💯 yall probably not even gonna get a playoff win

[@ItzBlackace]

@@robertlongoria6677tap into some rockets games or pay attention what’s going on it’s not that hard to do before you say anything

[@mfstratege589]

​@@robertlongoria6677 as long as they stay healthy, get your tissue ready....

[@vonstev1668]

@@robertlongoria6677 The Rockets aren't injured?

[@dirkoneal3899]

We don’t need to trade for anybody , keep the team as is, we gon be good 🚀🤘🏽🔥

[@robertocontreras4006]

I can proudly say that I watched our team turn this around in a couple of years.

[@sentrygunner]

Same, those tank years were awful! I prayed for times like these!

[@andy_3102]

It was horrible

[@andy_3102]

But now it’s fun

[@RestoWings_Co]

😂😂😂 nawww fr!!

[@ugur7227]

No Sengun on the thumbnail who has been the best player in this rebuild despite being drafted 16th.

[@someonefromsomewhere124]

FACTS

[@tacomaliciouso]

because Sengun was not drafted by Rockets, OKC traded their pick to rockets. Imagine Chet and Sengun frontcourt with SGA and Jalen Williams in the wing OKC dynasty might finally start 🫣

[@sametcer4806]

You need to be jokic or luka level european for them to respect you. Its crazy

[@ErenDenizMert]

Not that serious

[@ofisekd]

@@tacomaliciouso The title of the video is "rebuild" not "redraft" or "repick"

[@wuzi7049]

The rebuild was initially started while morey and harden were still there. When they pushed in their last chips and swung on Westbrook, they knew they were going to have to rebuild when it didn't work out. Morey before he left made some moves, but more importantly worked with stone to create this rebuild's base plan. And tanking and silas being a scapegoat were part of that. Harden knew he needed to leave, and privately requested a trade, but the owner tilman refused, until harden reluctantly made his public statement. Which pretty immediately resulted in a trade, because it was remoured that tilman wanted harden to look like the bad guy in the trade. Silas in reality did a much better job in developing while tanking than people want to admit, that was why he was even allowed to finish his contract. While he didn't have much freedom, no good vets, and stone was being overly intrusive, he did help the young guys he had work on their biggest weaknesses. Udoka was an upgrade, but silas was hired to be a scapegoat while the players got their bumps, and stone drafted in their short window they could control their draft picks. Jalen spent most of his earlier career learning things ignite and aau didn't teach him. Alpi spent most of his time improving his physical conditioning, the real reason he didn't play so much early on was because he physically couldn't keep up and handle it. Jabari had a lot of the same problems reed currently has, they just need time to refine their bodies and get comfortable playing, and learn how to play in the NBA. Because one major part of their improvement is just the young players having more knowledge and experience than they used to. And they are still gaining knowledge and experience and are still improving. Udoka has really helped their defense, and has a much stronger coaching voice. But he can struggle on offense, but is putting in some effort to improve on that side. They have a higher levels they can still reach if they keep working on improving, and understanding their weaknesses and needs.

[@TheOLsnaps]

How do you know morey helped stone on the rebuild. I always felt he left the rockets in a mess that he created.

[@wuzi7049]

@TheOLsnaps I followed the rockets very closely since the early 2000s. And when the transition was happening before morey left he made a small statement about how he was working with stone to ease the transition. And stone who worked under Morey before taking over, after taking over talked about their basic outlines and talked about how morey helped him create their plan. But morey also did start the early trades, to start the teardown process. It was around that time stone also mentioned Silas "bought in" and was "aligned with their vision." After rumours came out that Silas was hired under false pretenses.

[@seanpowell3755]

Check where they are on offense now,#1 this month...keep this core group intact.

[@kelvingrant2249]

Once the rockets got ime udoka i immediately knew a turn was coming

[@aureliocorona1470]

Most people from Houston don't want either from phoenix

[@undertherim5124]

Yeah, I have seen a lot of Rockets fans on Twitter begging the rocket to not make a trade with the sun. I think a trade with sun could happen if the rockets have a disappointmenting playoff run

[@aureliocorona1470]

@undertherim5124 it's a great possibility of the rockets getting cooper flagg with Phoenix unprotected pick

[@LustedEmotions]

@@aureliocorona1470 really? had no idea. ngl that sounds crazy just thinking about wthhh

[@undertherim5124]

@aureliocorona1470 come on bro the chance of that happening 3%

[@MrSupdup]

@@undertherim5124 assuming the Suns hold their current position and lose in the Play-Ins, it's a 0.5% chance the worst lottery ticket draws 1st in the draft.

[@ofisekd]

No Şengün at the thumbnail?

[@notoriousarry7052]

Man those Silas era was the most frustrating years of my life, i hope he do well outside of my club

[@ggghhh-jz7fi]

Cant talk about this rockets rebuild without mentioning kevin porter jr 😔

[@Hustlekids]

I loved watching this video of the e rebuild you broke everything down so well 🔥

[@NOJSIP]

WOW...your facts are just not there. You started off bad and without facts. The middle got much better, but I bet you are wrong on your ending. The Rockets do not want KD or Booker...they wanted those picks so they can reload in 2017 & 2019 with young talent on cheap contracts as they lose part of their young core to free agency. To begin with, Morey did not trade Harden or Westbrook. Morey resigned before the 2021 season started (went to Philly after he made a mess of Houston's roster, cap space and mortgaged much of their future draft picks away) and was replaced by Stone before the season started. Strone hired Silas as a veteran's coach (to stay out of the way of Harden & Westbrook) and then traded for Wood as a third option. Westbrook and then Harden demanded trades...and that is how the forced rebuild began. After the forced rebuild began Stone didn't need or want Silas, but honored his contract (let it play out) while he waited for Udoka to serve his one year hanky panky ban. Next, the Harden trade was for FOUR 1st and four swaps (not 3 & 4). They got the Buck's 2022 1st too (via the Cavs), then traded it to the Bucks for their 2023 1st in the Tucker trade...they then swapped that 2023 Milwaukee pick (#30) for the 2023 LAC pick (#20) in the Gordon trade and selected Cam Whitmore. I wanted to know how the Rockets young core was drafted, so I did a list. I included all the picks from the Harden trade and the Nets' for Suns' picks trade. I call this the never ending Harden genius trade, which now stands at Five 1st and Five swaps for Harden. So far, it has led to Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore and Reed Sheppard with 2 picks & 3 swaps to go. Here's the list: 2021: #2 Jalen Green Houston’s own pick. Top 4 protected in the Paul for Westbrook trade July 16, 2019 (Morey trade with OKC). The forced rebuild saved this pick. 2021: Swap via Nets (Harden trade). This swap did not convey because the Rockets’ own pick was #2. 2021: #16 Alperen Şengün via OKC from Washington (Westbrook for Wall) + Detroit (Stewart for Wood) trades. Both of those picks were highly protected... and OKC is still waiting on them to convey...what a great trade by Stone. 2022: #3 Jabari Smith Jr. Houston’s own pick. 2022: #17 Tari Eason via Nets (Harden trade). 2022: Pick (traded) Bucks via Cavs (Harden trade). This pick was traded back to the Bucks for the 2023 Bucks pick in the Tucker trade in an effort to space-out picks. 2023: #4 Amen Thompson Houston’s own pick. 2023: Swap via Nets (Harden trade). This swap did not convey because the Rockets’ own pick was #4. 2023: #20 Cam Whitmore via LAC (via Harden trade). This pick came from swapping the 2022 Bucks pick for the 2023 Bucks pick in the Tucker trade, then they swapped... that 2023 Bucks pick (#30) for the 2023 LAC pick (#20) in the Gordon trade. Whitmore was a result of the Harden, Tucker and Gordon trades. 2024: Pick (traded) Houston’s own pick. Top 4 protected in the Paul for Westbrook trade July 16, 2019 (Morey trade with OKC). It did convey to OKC at #12. 2024: #3 Reed Sheppard via Nets (Harden trade). This pick was #9, but moved up to #3 via the lottery. 2025: Swap (traded) via Nets (Harden trade). This Swap was traded back to the Nets (June 25, 2024) for the Suns’ 2025 Swap & the Mavs’ 2027 Swap. 2025: Pick Houston’s own pick or OKC's pick. The lessor of the two (via the Paul for Westbrook trade July 16, 2019). 2025: Swap Suns via Nets. (Nets trade June 25, 2024). Hold your breath, this swap will convey and could move the Rockets from #25~#30 into the lottery. 2026: Pick (traded) Houston’s own pick. Top 4 protected in the Paul for Westbrook trade July 16, 2019 (Morey trade with OKC)...it will convey to OKC (end of 1st round). 2026: Pick (traded) via Nets (Harden trade). This pick was traded back to the Nets (June 25, 2024) for the Suns’ 2027 & 2029 picks. 2027: Pick Houston’s own pick. 2027: Swap via Nets (Harden trade). Swap rights with the Rockets' own pick. 2027: Pick Suns via Nets (Nets trade June 25, 2024). 2028: Pick Houston’s own pick. 2029: Pick Houston’s own pick. 2029: Pick Suns via Nets (Nets trade June 25, 2024). 2029: Swap Mavs via Nets (Nets trade June 25, 2024). Swap rights with the Rockets' own & Suns' picks. Rockets get the best 2 of the 3 picks they control. 2030: Pick Houston’s own pick. 2031: Pick Houston’s own pick. 2032: Pick Houston’s own pick (will be granted after this season ends). The Rockets not only have one of the best cap flexibility situations in the NBA and one of the best young cores, but also one of the best future draft assets in all the NBA (currently 8 first and 3 swaps over the next 7 years...quality and quantity...2025, 2027 & 2029 have a great chance at producing lottery picks, while they are a contending team...WOW). Stone did that Harden and Nets for Suns picks trades so he can build the team and have future picks to sustain a dynasty. There is no need to mess with any of these three things this season. They are winning (ahead of their rebuilding schedule) and beating contending teams. I think they will not make any big trades until this offseason, when they will be forced to deal with their cap space and extending Jabari and Tari. I think JG will be traded to free up cap space and replaced by Cam/Reed (who they will need cap space for). JG was only extended him 3 years @ 33m per. This was done by design to make him easy to match in trades. If they go this route, Stone will target future picks & swaps (2029~2032). I think he could get two 1st (2030 & 2032) and two swaps (2029 & 2031) plus friendly expiring contracts (bench depth) for JG. What do you think JG would get on the market? Go Rockets

[@ajac4093]

Fantastic information! 👍 Thanks

[@NOJSIP]

​@@ajac4093 I appreciate that...thanks. I enjoy trying to figure out what the Rockets are going to do based off of what they have done. I have been closely following the Rockets since 1972 (big NBA fan) and I can tell you that Stone is a BB GM Genius...the Rockets are so lucky to have him. Morey and the Harden era was the worst over the years, I hated it...iso smallball was like watching paint dry and Morey had boxed the Rockets into no future with a bloated cap and very little draft assets to build upon. This is exactly what the Suns are now facing and the Rockets are going to benefit from it...thanks to Stone. I also have to say thank you to Westbrook and Harden for forcing trades and the rebuild, plus Morey for bolting to Philly in the cover of darkness. LOL What Stone has done with the Harden assets is amazing, not to mention that he pulled off that trade and everyone (except Stone, the Rockets, a few and me too) laughed how badly the Rockets did in that trade. That trade set the bar for what superstar players are worth on the draft asset market. Morey said (from Philly), "I wish I could get 4 first and 4 swaps in a trade...(I laughed at him). I saw a video of Stone saying, "It will be at least 10 years before we will know now good the trade was (with a grin). I was ecstatic when it went down, but could not even imagine it would put them into contention in 4 years and is going to give them a long term dynasty (I predict). We must remember that without the Westbrook & Harden FORCED trade the Rockets would not have gotten JG at #2 (that pick would have gone to OKC) and they would not have gotten Jarbri & Amen the follow two years with their own picks. I wish that the Rockets could keep all of their young talent, but it just doesn't work that way, but Stone has set up the Rockets a path to reload the Rockets with young talent with cheap contracts as they lose some of the current players due to cap space. Go Rockets

[@RobCortez0416]

Great post. Up until trading Green. His deal was to buy time to see how he developed. Right now it's looking like it'll be extended. The future dynasty is Reed-Jalen-Amen-Jabari-Alperen. Cam and Tari would be a bonus.

[@NOJSIP]

@@RobCortez0416 Thanks. We will see...JG may force them to keep him and I agree with you about buying time, but Cam can replace him at SG and gives them more flexibility running different lineups. Sooner or later time will run out and the Rockets will start having to choose. I don't see them letting any of their young frontline go. Either way, I am super excited that they have this upcoming problem.

[@seanpowell3755]

I can't believe i just read your entire comment even though i know all this,shout out from baytown,tx👍

[@ir0nfistalex]

great video with some valuable info

[@hazorg16]

I love that you didn't even mention that bozo, thank you

[@AceGoodheart]

The Rockets don't need to trade anyone. They're growing faster than expected. They'll definitely go to the playoffs this year and pose a legitimate threat to winning it all. Next year they should be even better. I think trading for another player will mess up their chemistry. If they do trade a player I would hope it would be Van Vleet or Brooks. They're getting older and someone like a Devon Booker or Fox would be an improvement. I'd be livid if they trade for Durant. Hopefully they're not that stupid.

[@gwuapo_4573]

Fr I also think that, they don't really need to trade for anyone, It'll just ruined the team process, we don't need players known for ruining teams like kd, butler and booker

[@gwuapo_4573]

But I don't mind having Fox

[@ardinsalim9048]

John Wall... that's a name i certainly forget

[@isaachernandez7619]

Jimmy Butlers superstar days are long gone !!!!

[@champntexas977]

The Rockets got the one thing that will keep them in any game. That's Defence. They don't get blown out. Bring on whoever. No one wants to see those young legs in a 7 game series defensively.

[@kunxv15]

rockets front office hitting success after success

[@baranbozdogann]

Amen Thompson next mvp

[@paperlord2674]

Dude lost me when he mention Devin booker and Kevin Durant 😂 on to the next channel lol

[@dacastle22]

Rockets are not trading their young talent

[@hayrunnisapampal7866]

Sengun king🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️

[@Blue-no4jt]

Who cares about Devin Booker and Kevin Durant? Booker shoots 44% from the floor 34% from three. Jalen shoots 43% from the floor and 36% from three, and shooting efficiency is his worst trait. Jalen is trending up while Booker is trending down. Throwing a guy like him who is used to being a star/diva onto a true team like the Rockets where everyone is equal is a chemistry killer. Booker is a better playmaker but Jalen is a better defender and more unstoppable when he’s hot, which is nice on a team with so many weapons, where they can take turns with the hot hand. Booker is absolutely not the guy. The one thing I hated about the Harden era was Daryl Morey was making moves every mid season and offseason just for the sake of making moves to make himself look good. He did some interesting deals from a contract perspective but he didn’t understand basketball, he couldn’t scout talent, and his priority was never on winning anything but his next job. Sometimes the best move is no move. This is why I really didn’t like the fact that the Rockets traded the Nets picks away for Suns picks. I wouldn’t mind them trading those Nets picks today for a glue guy like Cam Johnson who fills a floor spacing need, and is younger. Or using the pick to draft another developing piece for the future in a good draft class. Only way this Suns picks trade turns out well for the Rockets is if they don’t trade for a Suns player, keep the picks, and land top 3 picks in the lottery.

[@ikeepsitonme]

I dont want no new additions it will destroy our core

[@reedergrant6108]

Ime wasn’t married, the woman was and SHE approached him.

[@vmanyam1]

It wasn’t Morey who traded harden. Morey had already left. It was Stone

[@s3ts]

stop talking nonsense about trading. it's what got the Rockets delayed for the past 7 years at any playoff runs.

[@risefm001]

NO TRADES. Houston does not need to trade right now.

[@sumoathelstan]

Would be extremely dumb to trade for either booker or durant

[@Baller4Life23Legend]

7:16 aayyyooooo

[@jasonhockly8655]

Steven Adams?

[@ronkz7854]

It’s simple. The incompetent manger who traded Chris Paul for westbrick left the team

[@MrJuandiego1988]

Our players didn’t suck coach Silas was straight up ass.

[@johnnyvalentino8720]

Devin booker is a flop

[@sinemcelik2161]

Worst defensive to Best defensive team … İme Udoka

[@2ThaEast]

Ime was never married.

[@adwill1202]

I notice all these sports shows always want these upcoming young team to make trade get Superstar player for what OKC main core is built around SGA multiple draft picks for paul george to clippers most of guys they have is player's they draft

[@lyrics9830]

Where’s malika Andrew’s at? I like how nba countdown don’t talk about the rockets. 🤣🤣🤣🤣. She owes UME an apology 💁‍♂️

[@MrSupdup]

Morey never traded away Harden. Morey left for Philadelphia, and Stone then traded Harden to Philly.

[@asianangler]

rockets bench would be much better if they had drafted Castle or RobD instead of Reed

[@RobCortez0416]

Is they drafted either if those guys, you'd still be making this post with Reed in their place. It's not easy for a rookie to break into this team's rotation.

[@rodelperez4410]

no need trade solid team up

[@glend5990]

Ime is in the top 3 best coach in the NBA

[@KemalArdilGulez]

nothing? I wouldn't exactly call prime James Harden and prime Russell Westbrook "nothing". That being said, Rockets got very little for Westbrook but way too many picks for Harden.

[@ValyrianPrince]

He was not married how do you get the basics wrong

[@undertherim5124]

He was engaged for 5 years, and they were together.

[@RobCortez0416]

You had me until you started talking about trading for an older star. All those dudes mentioned were worse than Jalen Green at the same points in their careers. And it's pronounced Shen-goon.

[@CharlesRummell-yh6ts]

What if we win it all THIS year? The Suns suck and they already got KD and Devin Booker.lol

[@Yeathatsgavo]

Daryl morey didn’t trade him my guy Raphael stone was the gm that traded him

[@p4sh4]

... w/ Sengun

[@talktime_s]

W vid!

[@undertherim5124]

Thex

[@christophermorrisiscool]

Salis wouldnt have done this

[@ahmetmert1065]

So good work I wish it would be longer

[@undertherim5124]

Appreciate the support

[@zerocrane]

From nothing? They had picks 2 and 3 in consecutive drafts.

[@khemetattire1970]

🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@alfiey5783]

Its not nothing, its a lot of shitty years and top draft picks. The formula for all bottom teams

[@michaelahurt]

Nothing??? They got _EIGHT_ first round picks for Harden!!! 🤣🤣🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Plus another FIVE other firsts for Russ, PJ, Gordon & Covington. On what planet is that nothing? For reference the Pistons got _one_ *SECOND* round pick for their three best players. And had to waive and keep paying two of them. THAT is starting from nothing.

[@vonstev1668]

Saying Ime was married...not a good look.

[@undertherim5124]

He wasn't married, but he was engaged to the women he cheated on.

[@sinemcelik2161]

Silas was a tereorist

[@SonnyK248]

It was an insane rebuild fair play. I thought after they 100% committed to small ball with Harden and Russ that was going to be an all in move. And it didn’t work so you just assumed that meant they would be in limbo for a few years. But they were in that window where there were so many deep drafts back to back that if you were a rebuilding team at that time, you were in heaven. OKC were in it too. And Orlando. Detroit are just starting to see the rewards from it. If you were in the lottery in 2021, 2022 and 2023 then you could build yourself a very nice young core of guys.

[@undertherim5124]

Yeah, looking back on those draft classes, there was so much talent, and now look at all those teams at the top of their conference.

[@NOJSIP]

I posted a list of all the moves Stone did after Harden and Russ forced the rebuild. You might like it.

[@JamesHardenoverKobe13]

Did you actually watch 2020. It was obvious the league was helping lebron. I can see LeBron looking at the snow globe in the Walt Disney gift shop. While the trophy is next to the cash register in the background.

[@herreramike4205]

Like always

[@CB-ny6tu]

Th amount of misinformation in this video is insane.

[@undertherim5124]

Please give examples of the misinformation

[@fakhriahmad3614]

Man, Daryl Morey left the rockets (bailed) first before James got traded to the nets. You need to fact check than rely on memory alone

[@undertherim5124]

My bad

[@NOJSIP]

Fact

[@robertlongoria6677]

Rockets only a top 3 team cs 90% of the west is injured they gonna fold so hard in the playoffs might get a game or two but dats it 🤷‍♂️

[@dsbeats5657]

Raphael Stone was the reason we got in a good place not Darryl Morey he fucked us over

[@wuzi7049]

Morey absolutely did do a bunch of stuff to set them up for this rebuild. And stone started his work from Morey's plan. Morey and harden both get painted negatively. Just because things didn't work out and they did what they had to do give the rockets the best rebuild they could on their way out.

[@JamesHardenoverKobe13]

Morey saved us after losing Tmac and Yao. You're obviously not a Rockets fan.

[@NOJSIP]

@@wuzi7049 What? Morey maxed the cap and mortgaged their draft assets. Nobody liked playing with Harden iso small ball and that ended up being a revolving door of star players...Howard, Paul, Westbrook and Wall.

[@NOJSIP]

@@JamesHardenoverKobe13 WOW is Harden paying you?

[@JamesHardenoverKobe13]

@@NOJSIP I also have Tmac over Kobe so does that mean Tmac is paying me?