GM survey: NBA execs optimistic on Houston’s prospects, uncertain on 2024-25 playoffs

Posted by author October 8, 2024 NBA

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Many of Houston’s top prospects received high marks in the annual NBA GM survey. However, reviews are more mixed when it comes to a potential 2024-25 postseason run.

Before each season begins, NBA general managers respond to as many as 50 questions from NBA.com about the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves. Respondents cannot vote for their own team or personnel, and they may not respond to every question.

Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.

In the 2024-25 GM survey, which was released Tuesday, Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard received high marks from rival executives. So, too, did other members of Houston’s emerging young core under general manager Rafael Stone.

Big man Alperen Sengun and guard/forward Amen Thompson each received votes on the subject of which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2024-25. Separately, Thompson and Jalen Green earned votes on the topic of the league’s most athletic player, with Thompson (10%) finishing at No. 3 in the entire NBA. Along similar lines, Thompson received votes in a question regarding the league’s most versatile player.

Collectively, with those types of young talent in mind, Houston finished at No. 3 (10%) on the question of which team has the most promising core of young talent. Only No. 1 Oklahoma City (60%) and No. 2 Orlando (20%) are higher.

Yet, even with all those promising prospects, it isn’t yet clear how it will translate to winning in a difficult Western Conference. Consider that even in a 41-41 season last year that represented the NBA’s biggest annual wins improvement (19) from the previous season, Houston still finished just No. 11 out of 15 West teams. That wasn’t even enough to qualify for the play-in tournament, let alone earn an outright berth in the playoffs.

While the Rockets are certainly hopeful that at least one player out of that young core will develop into an All-Star talent capable of consistently leading the roster to wins, it hasn’t happened on a consistent basis just yet.

Some around the NBA are bullish, as evidenced by the Rockets receiving votes in the GM survey on the question of which team will be most improved in 2024-25. With a starting point of 41-41, that would almost certainly mean a playoff berth.

On the other hand, the Rockets finished No. 2 (13%) on the topic of which team’s success is most difficult to predict. Only the Los Angeles Lakers (No. 1, 17%) are higher.

In short, while GMs around the league are clearly bullish on the young talent in Houston, reviews are mixed when it comes to whether 2024-25 is the year that it all translates to winning at a playoff level for the team as a whole.

One angle that can’t hurt is that GMs around the league seemingly view Houston as having strong leadership in place. Head coach Ime Udoka and assistant Royal Ivey each received votes on the topics of head coach with the best defensive schemes and best assistant coach, respectively. Meanwhile, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet finished at No. 4 among all NBA players (7%) on the question of which active player will eventually make for the best head coach.

The complete 2024-25 NBA GM survey can be read here. Because GMs are not able to vote for their own players or team, none of the votes pertaining to the Rockets were from Stone.

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