The Houston Rockets had their first post-Christmas game throw-down with the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. It was the fourth game in a row for them versus a bottom-of-the-standings opponent. They even got a chance to avenge their opening night loss to intermittent superstar LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. The Rockets used the stretch to stretch their wings and showcase their impressive depth. But what’s going to happen to all that depth going forward?
Rockets’ Injuries Highlight Wing Depth
Of course, in order for the depth to be visible, the team has to have a hole at the top. Starter Dillon Brooks was ruled out of the latest Pelicans matchup due to nagging ankle soreness. He last played against the Toronto Raptors in his native Canada.
Rockets forward Dillon Brooks out tomorrow in New Orleans with a sore ankle. He also missed Monday's game in Charlotte. Tari Eason, who missed the past three games, upgraded to questionable.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 25, 2024
Tari Eason has been receiving lower leg injury management-related rest. The level of concern for both absences seems low. The Rockets are probably just taking the opportunity afforded them by the uncompetitive nature of their opponents, the least competitive of all, the Pelicans.
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Wing Depth?
While the Pelicans once seemed poised to run rampant across the league, they have since pivoted to a full-on tank formation. Their record stands at 5-26, the worst in the league. It is ironic, though, that the Pelicans have become the best team for opponents to show off their wing depth against. That is because, until this year, the Pelicans themselves had the best wing depth in the NBA. They traded Dyson Daniels to the Atlanta Hawks, and Naji Marshal signed with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason.
Much has been made about the Pelicans curse and their overall lack of success as a franchise. In this matter, though, front office incompetence is not the cause. You can say they moved on from the wrong wings if you like, but the kind of wing depth that the Pelicans had is simply unsustainable. It will be unsustainable for the Rockets in the long term as well.
The Pelicans had to make hard choices. They elected to keep First Team All-Defense stopper Herbert Jones and three-point marksman Trey Murphy III, while moving on from future All-Defense stopper Daniels and the Swiss army knife, Marshall.
Sooner or later, the Rockets will be confronted with their own equivalent hard choices. It’s why a consolidation trade for an All-Star-level creator seems an inevitability. Inevitable doesn’t mean this season, though when the most suitable stars happen to be available is a factor that can’t be ignored.
Another G League Campaign Completed
Then there’s who the Rockets would probably be passing up on. Serviceable veteran Jae’Sean Tate has been theoretically available for some time. Of the youngsters, Amen Thompson started in Brooks’ absence and displays the potential to be the team’s best player. He won’t be included in any serious trade talks. The same can’t be said for Cam Whitmore.
Whitmore put on a show against the Pelicans. He scored 27 points on 16 field goal attempts. Most encouragingly, he went 4 of 8 from three.
Earlier in the season, Whitmore was sent for another campaign in the G League to give him the chance to work through a shooting slump. He’s been back for a while, but the minutes weren’t there for him to show he was out of it. If Whitmore can provide a consistent shooting threat off the bench, though, then head coach Ime Udoka might have to find the minutes for him. However, it could also be that Whitmore’s efficiency can’t be replicated against teams more committed to testing his decision-making.
Still, the Rockets’ shooting has been a clear weakness all season. It’s one of their major needs, along with almost every other category of offensive basketball you can think of besides rebounding. Giving Whitmore more opportunity to build up his trade value again wouldn’t hurt either.
The Last Word
The Rockets’ next game will be against the much tougher Minnesota Timberwolves. Presumably, the team will go back to fielding its usual rotation. Whitmore might have done enough to pip struggling rookie Reed Sheppard for the bench shooter spot. As for the rest of the season to come, Rockets fans should enjoy having such terrific depth on the wing while it lasts. Changes are likely coming this offseason.
