The CSL

Despite several players hitting free agency, including Kaiser Gates, Dedric Lawson, Nathan Knight, and others, losing Mikal Bridges, and a metric ton of trade rumors surrounding MJ Walker, the Rockets core remains intact.

The starting five is the same as last year's, with 5 versatile weapons, all of whom defend multiple positions at a high level, three can pass, three can shoot, and can cover for each other when one misses time.

Cam Reddish #21 - 6'8 208 PG/SG/SF
While far from a traditional point guard, the 6'8 Reddish handles the ball, uses his imposing frame on defense, and scores the ball efficiently. Cam averaged 15/3/3 on 56.4 TS%, including 38% from downtown, upped his numbers to 18/3/4 on 58 TS% in the playoffs, and will look to continue on his upward trajectory as a player in year #8.

MJ Walker #4 - 6'5 197 SG/SF
Coming off an extremely difficult 3rd season in which expectations of stardom fell flat on their faces, MJ Walker is hoping for a bounce-back year in which he can prove himself as a go-to option, score efficiently, make plays for others, and defend well. Walker has lost weight this summer, and will almost exclusively play SG this season, and might even run some point. This is a contract year him and likely his make-or-break season as a Rocket. The smoke surrounding MJ Walker's trade rumors definitely had some fire behind them, but the season is here and the Rockets remain fully invested in him. Consistency will be key.

Kaiser Gates #8 - 6'8 190 SF/PF
A defensive stud if there ever was one, Gates has steadily given Houston 14/6, 2 steals, on above league average efficiency, and always ups his game come playoff time. Entering year #4 with the Rockets, and year #1 on a 5-year $60M contract. He's had the best years of his career here and will look to keep giving Houston the two-way play they need from the forward spots.

JaKeenan Gant #55 - 6'8 208 PF/C/SF
Fresh off a 12/5/5 season in which Gant stuffed all columns of the stat sheet, Gant will transition into a more heavy rim protection role in which he'll utilize his shot blocking and rebounding prowess a bit more. The Gant/Lofton frontcourt lineups looked very promising in the preseason. His scoring efficiency has left a bit to be desired, but he does so much in every other area and he's proven to be indispensable.

Dedric Lawson #42 - 6'9 224 C
Last season's playoff superhero, Dedric Lawson nearly doubled his numbers to average 23/13 and was rewarded with a team-high 5 year $73M contract for his efforts. Those numbers aren't expected to be replicated, but expect a heavy dose of rebounds, paint scoring, and versatile defense in his minutes.

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The top half of the bench is an assortment of talented oddballs, some of which could be very exciting developments.

Vrenz Bleijenbergh #13 (why DDS, why?) - 6'11 218 PG/SG/SF
After being cut loose by the Celtics due to salary cap issues, the Rockets were happy to scoop up a 6'11 backup PG to complete their lineup of freakishly oversized ball handlers. Vrenz is not a scorer, but his size and playmaking are guaranteed to cause some very lopsided mismatches.

Svi Mykhailiuk #20 - 6'8 195 SG/SF
After years of trying, Houston finally got their hands on Svi at last season's trade deadline, and he did not disappoint, providing a steady diet of shot creation from the second unit. He was given a 1 year $10M contract to return to the team and do the same thing.

Nathan Knight #0 - 6'9 272 PF/SF
The other half of the Rockets' battering ram backup frontcourt. Knight has been an efficient high volume, low minute weapon off the bench since the day he was converted from a two-way contract two seasons ago. Knight is a situational piece but his size, handles, and propensity to throw himself at the rim at every opportunity is something well-valued by this Rockets team, who rewarded the 26-year-old with a 5 year deal worth $27M, despite his complete inability to do anything else on the court.

Kenneth Lofton Jr #66 - 6'6 283 PF/C
Snack Randolph is entering year 3, and figures to be a pretty important piece to the Rockets' success. As an aggressive interior scorer, rebounder, who has some playmaking chops as well, Lofton is expected to be one of the league's breakout candidates... if his defense doesn't prove to be too big of a detriment to the Rockets style of play at that end.

Chima Moneke #91 - 6'7 230 C
The third year big man is back to attack the glass and defend with rare tenacity. Moneke figures to be a situational piece like Knight, to be utilized in some but not all matchups. There were some trade talks surrounding him in the offseason, but Moneke has been told to put those rumors aside and focus on rebounding and defending as hard as he always does.

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The third string are largely guards, and mostly prospects, but will be a fun group to watch.

Trevon Duval #7 (even though I really want to retire KAT's jersey) - 6'3 174 PG
One of the game's premier ball handlers and passers. Duval is entering year number 10 already, and his second stint with the Rockets. Duval is not a shooter, scorer, or defender, and won't be a daily staple in the lineup, but has his purpose and will likely spend some significant time throwing Lofton/Knight the ball a lot.

Amari Bailey #2 - 6'3 181 PG/SG
Don't expect the rookie scoring guard to play this season unless there are multiple backcourt injuries. But he'll be a fun watch in Rio Grande where he is sure to fill the box score... due to the scoring columns overflowing into the other ones.

Karim Mane #14 - 6'3 190 SG/PG
Mane would be the first call up if Cam Reddish goes down for any length of time, due to the Rockets' need for a ball handler who can D up. Mane is a nice slasher and was probably looking at playing time this season if Vrenz hadn't been signed, but he'll spend another year in Rio Grande.

Johnny Juzang #3 - 6'7 217 SF/SG
Rookie shooting specialist Juzang will likely get a good look early in the season for his floor spacing. The Rockets like the volume he shot with during the preseason (7 3PA in just 19.5mpg), and know he's much better than the 29% he actually shot from downtown. He will likely shuttle between the D-League and main squad often during the season.

Franz Wagner # - 6'10 224 SF/SG
Wagner, a former lottery pick who all but washed out of the league, was signed after training camp and has yet to even get a jersey. However, he is expected to be showcased early on in the season, and there are rumors of the Rockets experimenting with him and Vrenz in a backcourt together. It's do or die time for the oversized wing who can in theory pass and shoot, but hasn't shown it for any length of time in his 4 years as a Blazer.

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The two-way contracts will be watched closely, and exceptional play from either, could very well earn them a conversion to a full contract.

JD Davison #8 - 6'1 199 PG
The Rockets were excited to see Davison fall into the 2nd round, but the reality was that he was too raw to contribute as a rookie. Still, he had an encouraging training camp, and it hopefully won't be too long before he's ready to run an offense.

Trayce Jackson #16 - 6'9 254 PF
TJD, a remarkably raw 24-year-old, needed to have a strong training camp and he did. there is still a lot to improve on, but the hope is that he'll be a 3&D guy that can rebound in a year or two.

The team will one again be very good, but i also suspect will have some lumps luke they always seem to have.

I just think this team is built for the regular season and not the past season. They have one, arguably two huge weaknesses that I think can get exploited in the playoffs. One that I for one hope does not get corrected.

Every yr when I think HOU is going to fall off a cliff they end up being scrappy contenders so not seeing it any different this yr.

They'll be back in the mix

To me, Lofton and Moneke are the x-factors that will decide whether this team can make the leap to championship-caliber. Walker, Gant, Gates et al. are great, but if those two live up to their high draft billing then I think Houston is legit scary. Really curious to see how their 3rd seasons progress, as well as Walker's revenge tour. Good luck man!

Yeah, if Walker wokes up we're all finished.

I actually don't know what to make of them just yet. They do have a great inside-out game if Lofton continues on his merry way. I think Walker turns it around and reminds us of how valuable he is and the rest looks really good.

3rd year players with the endurance boost could have an impact too so will be an interesting watch.

I think you squeeze out a lot of value from your low salary/role players and get the most out of them. If Walker actually steps up this season, there is plenty around him to have a successful season. You have defense everywhere and if you can hold your own on the boards you're set. I don't know if this is a finals team, but it's certainly a contender to push any team out West.

I do think that Lawson is maybe the most important player. If he can sustain this playoff performance, the Rockets can hold their own inside. All big's have their own special skill set.

Curious to see who shoots more 3's, HOU or POR

Reddish is such an interesting career arc. Came in with high expectations, then looked like a bust, and now he appears to have found a role.

So many tall, versatile, 2-way wings on this team that can handle the ball and play up and down the lineup. Most of them stuff the stat sheet pretty well. Lots of offense and defense on this squad, although there is a noticeable lack of shot blocking. Very interesting team that I’ll be paying attention to!

MJ Walker is the most confusing player in the CSL, in the sense that he has shown glimpses of an elite difference maker but has also had awful streaks. And that's actually very weird given his high consistency rating.