The Rockets continue to strengthen! 4 players join and 4 players leave the team! Directly change the NBA pattern

On July 23, the Houston Rockets officially announced that the team officially signed Josh Okogie. Okogie himself updated social media and wrote: "Houston, we are in trouble now." According to NBA famous reporter Shams, this is a one-year, $3.1 million basic salary contract. The Rockets are really crazy!

Okogi's original contract was $16 million for two years, and $7.75 million for the next season is insured. During this offseason, the Hornets cut it and Okogi returned to his freedom. Many playoff teams wanted to sign Okoji with basic salary, but the Rockets finally found a bargain. From the Suns to the Rockets, Okogi and Durant joined forces again, and KD must be very happy.

Okoji was born on September 1, 1998. Although he is old-fashioned, he is actually less than 27 years old. In the 2018 NBA Draft, Okogi was selected by the Timberwolves in the 20th pick in the first round and joined the Suns in the summer of 2022. In January 2025, the Suns used Okogie + 3 second round picks to get inside Richards + 1 second round pick from the Hornets.

Okoji is a defensive player, but not a top 3D player, because he only has defense and no stable three-point shooting. So far in his NBA career, Okogi has made 29.9% three-point shooting percentage. If Okogie develops three points, he will not fall to just getting a basic salary. You can compare Finney Smith's contract: $53 million in 4 years. In the 2024-25 season, Okogi played 25 games with the Suns and started in just 1 game. He averaged 14 minutes per game, scored 6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.8 steals, and shot from three events: 49.1%, 38.1%, and 68.8%. Okogie played 15 games with the Hornets, starting six of which were started. He averaged 18.3 minutes per game, scored 8.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals, and his three shooting percentages were: 38.8%, 32%, and 77.4%.

Looking forward, in the 2023-24 season, Okogi played 60 regular season games with the Suns, 11 of which started. He averaged 16 minutes per game, scored 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals, and his three shooting percentages were: 41.7%, 30.9%, and 74.5%. By looking at the data, you can find that Okogi's three-pointers are not reliable most of the time.

In this offseason, the Rockets joined and four left the team. The players who strengthened were: Durant, Finney Smith, Capela, and Okogi. The players who left the team include: Jaylen Green, Dillon, Whitmore, and Langdale. In addition, the Rockets also renewed their contracts with Van Jordan, Jabbarry Smith Jr., Adams, Jeff Green, Tate and Aaron Holiday.

If you select the best team in the offseason, I believe many fans will give the Rockets a vote, and both the front line and the inside line will be significantly strengthened. The Rockets have currently had 14 formal contracts, with $1.25 million left before the first rich line. Unless the Rockets trade again, there is no room for signing players with a basic salary, and they may start the new season with 14 players.

Last let's take a look at the Rockets' roster in the new season, guards: Van Jordan, Shepard, Aaron Holiday, Okogie. Forwards: Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabbarry Smith Jr., Ethan, Finney Smith, Tate, Jeff Green. Center: Shin Kyung, Adams, Capela. The biggest shortcoming may be the back line.

This summer, the Thunder retained the championship lineup, and the Clippers, Nuggets and Rockets are all frantically strengthening. Which team do you think can break out of the West?