Houston Rockets’ Projected Lineup for the 2024-25 Season

This Rockets squad is looking deep with young talent and veteran leadership.

Mar 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka talks with guard Jalen Green (4) during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets go into the 2024-25 season with a similar makeup to last season. With the same core combination of young assets and veteran leadership, the Rockets can compete for a spot in the playoffs.

The most notable addition Houston has going into this season is No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard, who shined in the NBA Summer League. Sheppard averaged 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in four games.

With the abundance of potential with this Rockets' squad, how will their depth chart look?

PG: Fred VanVleet

Apr 7, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) tries to turn the corner during the fourth quarter with Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) defending at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports / Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

VanVleet is coming off of a season where he averaged a career-high in assists at 8.1. The 6-foot point guard looks to pair his impressive play with a locker-room presence. The bottom line is that VanVleet knows how to win. He was a pivotal player in the Toronto Raptors' 2019 championship run, and has since emerged as an All-Star caliber player.

SG: Jalen Green:

Apr 11, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles past Utah Jazz forward Luka Samanic (19) during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Green's inconsistencies throughout his first few seasons have held him back from becoming an All-Star, and as he enters year four, the high-flying wing will look to build off of the end of last season, when he averaged 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 20 games. Green still has a lot of promise, but he'll have to improve quickly, as Houston was close to trading him at last season's deadline.

SF: Dillon Brooks

Apr 11, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

One of the league's biggest enforcers returns after somewhat of a career revival. Brooks had questions surrounding his career after the 2022-23 season, but made himself known in his first season with the Rockets. The defensive veteran will look to once again fit into a 3&D role, agitating some of the NBA's best players.

PF: Jabari Smith Jr.

Apr 9, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) shoots an inside shot against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Smith Jr. has had an interesting career thus far. Drafted No. 3 overall in 2022, at the time he was expected to be a franchise player. Of course, he still can be, but Smith has fit into a role, playing behind VanVleet, Green, and others. His three-point shot has improved over the past two seasons, and he is a great paint presence at 6-foot-11. Expect more of the same as last year from the Auburn product.

C: Alperen Sengun

Mar 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) in action during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The star in Houston, Sengun nearly made the All-Star Game last season averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals. Sengun is the face of the Rockets right now, and will look to get even better with experience going into year four. After an ankle sprain that kept him out at the end of the 2023-24 season, Sengun comes into this season with the potential to have an All-NBA caliber season, leading Houston to the postseason.

Next Five: Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Steven Adams, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason

Jul 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Tommy Kuhse (31) during the first half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Sheppard or Thompson will likely be the sixth man off the bench, as both of them have cases to be a starter. In fact, the next five could be a starting lineup of its own, with promising scorers, defensive weapons, and an elite veteran in Adams. All five of these players could receive good time in Ime Udoka's system, however, there are only 48 minutes in an NBA game, so handouts will be slim. The bench will have to earn their minutes, but this roster going that deep is a great sign.

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