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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s biggest question

By Ben Ladner

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Carmelo Anthony signing with Rockets for league’s veteran minimum? - Photo Credit: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 10: Chris Paul #3 and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the USA National Team sign jerseys and basketballs at the Wynn Las Vegas on August 10, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets: Can they replace Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute’s value?

A few months removed from Houston pushing the Warriors to seven games, it’s hard not to feel as though these Rockets have peaked. Chris Paul is still one of the three best point guards in the NBA, but his production will dwindle as he ages. Reigning MVP James Harden may never have a season as good as the one he just had. To complicate matters, Houston also faces the challenge of losing two of its most important role players.

This summer, the Rockets faced the realities of team-building in the NBA. Convincing players to take less money or benefitting from serendipitous cap spikes, as Golden State has done, are generally untenable means of sustaining teams. In the face of a lavish tax bill, Houston couldn’t afford to retain every piece of its roster, and Ariza and Mbah a Moute bolted for better financial situations.

Replacing them will be a tall order, in no small part because of their unique combination of defensive versatility and proven shooting ability. The candidates to supplant them are either inconsistent (Gerald Green), unproven (James Ennis), deficient on one side of the floor (Carmelo Anthony), deficient on the other side of the floor (Michael Carter-Williams) or complete mysteries (Bruno Caboclo). Ariza and Mbah a Moute could both stay on the floor against the Warriors (though Mbah a Moute lost all utility on offense after a late-season shoulder injury) and survive the gauntlet of switching through which Golden State puts its opponents. Houston’s new additions might be able to do that as well, but at the moment, we just don’t know.

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