What should the Houston Rockets do after being eliminated by the Warriors in the NBA 2025 Playoffs?

The Houston Rockets far exceeded their preseason expectations. Going from missing the playoffs for five straight years to being the second seed in the tough Western Conference is extraordinary. Unfortunately, they fell in seven games in the first round to a very determined Golden State Warriors. They were on the verge of overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the series but couldn't complete the comeback.

Now, the Rockets are focusing on the offseason, with some key free agents they will have to decide to retain or let go.

Steven Adams

Many probably thought this season would be the only one Steven Adams would wear the Rockets' jersey. With how the playoffs unfolded and seeing that Houston could play well on the court alongside Alperen Sengun, they might opt to keep him in the city.

The 31-year-old center is arguably the best offensive rebounder in the league. His brute force never makes things easy for opposing big men inside and forces guards to think twice about driving to the hoop. Now in his 11th year in the league, a one or two-year contract for Adams would be a good investment for Houston.

Aaron Holiday (team option)

In a team that finished near the bottom in made three-pointers, Aaron Holiday provided a spark at times. The 28-year-old guard shot 39.8% from beyond the arc, hitting 38.7% from deep in the 2023-24 season, his first year with Houston.

However, Holiday only played in three of the seven postseason games. His team option is around $4.9 million. While not a steep price for Holiday, the team likely wants to give more backcourt minutes to Reed Sheppard next season.

Jae'Sean Tate

An injury to his right ankle sidelined Jae'Sean Tate for the entire first round. It's unclear if he would have played even if available. His playing time has decreased for five straight seasons since being named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2020-21.

The Rockets are a deep team, and the 29-year-old Tate might seek a club elsewhere that will utilize him more. He went from starting 77 games in 2021-22 to a total of 18 in the three years since.

Fred VanVleet (team option)

Fred VanVleet certainly has his flaws. The most notable is his potential inefficiency as a scorer. He shoots 34.5% on threes and 43% on two-point attempts, falling well short of the league average.

Nevertheless, the Rockets are expected to pick up his team option of nearly $44.9 million for 2025-26. His scoring efficiency improved in the postseason. VanVleet seldom turns the ball over while forcing many on the defensive end. The team also had a 41-19 record with him in the lineup and only went 11-11 without him.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¿Qué deben hacer los Houston Rockets tras ser eliminados por los Warriors de los Playoffs NBA 2025?