With the calendar turning to August this week, September isn’t far away. That’s the month that training camps around the NBA will open for the 2024-25 season, which starts in October.
In Houston, the young and improving Rockets are coming off an encouraging 41-41 season. That 19-win improvement, relative to 2022-23, was the biggest annual jump of any NBA team in 2023-24.
So, as a new season approaches, what comes next for Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone’s Rockets? This week’s podcast episode of The Lager Line, hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, explores key themes to watch for as the offseason enters its final weeks.
Discussion topics include:
- Final impressions from rookie guard Reed Sheppard at the NBA’s recently completed 2024 summer league
- Rotation considerations for Udoka, including why neither Sheppard nor second-year guard Cam Whitmore is assured an immediate rotation role
- Contract extension considerations involving both Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green (the deadline is just prior to the October regular-season opener)
- Whether Houston makes sense as a potential trade suitor for Utah forward Lauri Markkanen
Tuesday’s episode, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”
