Houston Rockets: 5 Nightmare Scenarios for This Team
There's a solid chance that the Houston Rockets don't make the playoffs this season.
That being said, things could easily go from bad to worse very quickly by the time the 2012-13 season starts.
The Rockets have several free agents they would love to retain for next season, and they'd also love to try the open market as a means to improve the team.
They could potentially have three first-round draft picks, too.
It's hit or miss for the Rockets. Here are their five nightmare scenarios.
Goran Dragic Leaves
1 of 5The Houston Rockets have been pleased with Goran Dragic's play this past season.
He's averaging a career-high 12 points and five assists, and he has worked his way into the starting lineup. That being said, his success this season will lead to a big contract for the Slovenian point guard.
Dragic is currently making around $2 million this season. He'll be making a lot more than that next year, and that could mean he will no longer be wearing a Rockets uniform.
Although the team still has Kyle Lowry, losing Dragic means they will no longer have the depth they would like in their backcourt.
Houston Rockets Don't Get at Least 2 1st-Round Picks
2 of 5The Houston Rockets have a chance to get, at most, three first-round draft picks in this year's draft.
In order for this to happen, they need to miss the playoffs, and the Dallas Mavericks need to not get a Top 20 draft pick. If both of those events occur, the Rockets will be sitting pretty in the draft because of outstanding trades that need to be completed.
Obviously, the worst-case scenario would be if the Rockets make the playoffs and are quickly eliminated, along with the Mavericks. That would almost assure that the Rockets would get just one first-round pick, because Dallas would get a higher pick and stay in the Top 20. Houston would then have to give up its pick to New Jersey because of the Terrence Williams trade.
Luis Scola Leaves
3 of 5Another Houston Rockets player who will undoubtedly test the free-agent market is Luis Scola.
Scola has had a great stint with the Rockets, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds in his five-year career with the team.
The Argentinian is still in his prime and could be a great player to build the team around, especially if the Rockets do get those three draft picks.
However, he'll be chasing the team that throws him the highest salary, and that could be a big headache for Daryl Morey and the Rockets.
No Luck During Free Agency
4 of 5There are several talented free agents who will be testing the market this summer in the NBA.
First of all, there are three great point guards in Jeremy Lin, Steve Nash and Deron Williams. It'll be difficult to nab one of those guys, because other powerhouses like the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat will be pursuing their services.
That being said, Houston has a lot of contracts coming off the books, and the Rockets would be wise to use their resources to at least make a strong push for one of those guys, especially if Goran Dragic leaves.
Big men such as Roy Hibbert might be testing the restricted market as well.
Because of Yao Ming's retirement, there's a gaping hole in the frontcourt for the Rockets. Signing a guy like Hibbert, who is entering his prime, alleviates Houston's problems in the paint and could turn the Rockets into contenders.
No Luck in the Draft
5 of 5This is heavily tied to the number of draft picks the Houston Rockets obtain. If they get three, there is less of a chance of them whiffing on all of them.
However, if they only get one, there's a chance that they strike out.
There are several guys the Rockets would love to snag. They could either draft a scorer like Doron Lamb, Jeremy Lamb or Austin Rivers. Or, they could choose to get bigger, and draft an Andrew Nicholson, Terrence Jones, Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard.
It can take several years to see if a draft pick is successful or not, but with three draft picks, there's a pretty good chance that at least one of them becomes a star.
