NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets' Offseason Moves Make Them Contenders

The Houston Rockets have not made the playoffs for the last three seasons.  The glory days of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming seem like a distant memory, and the team is in need of a master plan to turn the tide. 

Consider that master plan in effect, right about now.

The offseason for the Houston Rockets has been a busy one, and it's yielded promising results (thanks to not having any of their trades vetoed by the commissioner...yet). 

Let's start at the beginning.

The Rockets began this offseason in a different spot than before—with open cap room—finally not having to deal with contract obligations to Yao Ming. 

In addition to cap room, the Rockets had draft picks. 

When all was said and done, the Rockets had shipped out Chase Budinger and Samuel Dalembert (plus his massive contract) and ended up with Jon Leuer, Jon Brockman and Shaun Livingston, plus the No. 12 draft pick.  Additionally, they also owned picks No. 16 and No. 18.

While some were disappointed that this mad dash didn't end in a blockbuster deal for Dwight Howard, you can't argue with the players the Rockets did draft.

Royce White, Terrence Jones and Jeremy Lamb.  That's a solid haul.  Landing three players with All-Star upside in the same draft is certainly valuable. 

Think of this as Oklahoma City's rebuilding plan on steroids.

But it didn't stop there.

First, there was this offer to Jeremy Lin.  While the New York Knicks had figured they would match any offer that was presented to Lin, the Rockets laced this one perfectly.  The backloaded deal pays Lin enough in his third and fourth years of the contract that the Knicks most likely can't match it—unless they are willing to pay a hefty luxury tax price in coming seasons.

Same deal with Omer Asik.  While the Bulls had initially made it their top priority to resign their seven-footer, this "poison-pill" deal by the Rockers makes it nearly impossible for the Bulls to do so.

Some critics will argue that Asik is not worth the $8 million per year, but with the Rockets eternally in search of a post presence, his 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 block averages in just 14 minutes per game are efficient and will likely even more substantial if he is given additional minutes.  He's an improving force and can do all of the little things that make a team better.

Just ask Tom Thibodeau.

And for the icing on the cake, the Rockets have seven-footer Donatas Motiejunas waiting in the wings.  Take a look at this film session to see what has the Rockets front office so excited.

With the Rockets having one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, things can only go up from here.  And something tells me that this torrid start to the Rockets' rebuilding plan is just a glimpse of what is to come. 

Stay tuned.