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The Rockets fell short of their ultimate goal again this season. Every team's ultimate goal is winning the NBA title. The Rockets, however, have made it known that they are obsessed with beating the Golden State Warriors. Some would say they had their best shot was this season (Kevin Durant being injured and missing time, plus Ayesha Curry putting her and Steph's love life out for all to opine on), others would argue last season was their best shot (a Chris Paul hamstring away). Either way, they fell short and had plenty of opportunities each time to dethrone the Warriors' dynasty.
News has come down lately that may speak into some chinks in the armor that may have led to the Rockets' demise the last couple seasons. It has been talked about on this site by Charlie Pallilo; Joel Blank (twice); Salman Ali (twice); Paul Muth; and by Lance Zierlien, John Granato, and Raheel Ramzanali (twice). I wrote about how the Rockets still have a place in the hearts of Houston sports fans compared to the Texans despite them losing to the Warriors. However, there may be a bigger opponent the team is fighting that may come from within.
Reading through the tea leaves of a Marc Stein quote tweet of Jonathan Feigen, may tell us more about what's to become of this iteration of the Rockets.If anything can be derived from these tea leaves, it's saying that Mike D'antoni may either be on his way out, and/or being forced to make changes in his coaching staff if he wants to get an extension. Either way, it shows Tillman Fertitta is putting his imprint on things and not settling for the status quo.
Where does this leave general manager Daryl Morey? Morey seems to be in a bit of a safe spot. He signed a five year extension in March. Meanwhile, D'Antoni is working on the last year of his deal, and has had some of his handpicked assistants Thanos-snapped away. Morey is still under pressure to produce in my opinion because Fertitta won't accept anything less than an NBA title while this team has James Harden in his prime.With the team over the currently salary cap and bucking the luxury tax threshold (especially depending on what moves they make this offseason), it'll take a miracle for Morey to make any moves that'll vastly improve this team's chances. Considering they have no first round picks, very few desirable assets worth trading, and a couple albatross worthy contracts, Morey will have to Jedi mind trick his way through yet another offseason of transactions. That, or he'll have to hope he finds more diamonds in the rough like he did this past season with guys like Austin Rivers, Kenneth Faried, and Danuel House. But if D'Antoni doesn't cook up something with the groceries he's been provided with 9as has been his M.O. in the playoffs), he may be on the outs soon being as Morey is the one with the job security via his extension.
I have full faith this team will continue to play at a high level during the regular seasons in the years to come. Post-season play and performance is up for debate. as it stands, their best hope is for the Warriors and the rest of the Western Conference to stagnate or get worse, while they continue on their pace. That, or pray for a miracle. As the old saying I was taught by my grandfather goes: "crap in one hand and wish in the other, see which one gets full first."
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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