The Houston Rockets have extended the contract of general manager Rafael Stone after a successful season that saw the team win 41 games, a significant improvement from the prior season. Stone took over the role in 2020 following the departure of longtime executive Daryl Morey and faced challenges with star players Russell Westbrook and James Harden wanting trades. Harden was eventually traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a move that involved a substantial amount of draft capital coming to the Rockets.
Under Stone’s leadership, the Rockets have undertaken a rebuilding phase, focusing on a youth movement after years of contention with the Morey/Harden partnership. The team endured three consecutive losing seasons but secured high draft picks like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson, along with other promising prospects like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore. These players make up the team’s “Core 6” prospects that they hope to build around in the future.
The 2022-2023 season marked the beginning of “Phase 2” of Stone’s rebuild efforts, where the team aimed to reshape its culture by bringing in veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks through free agency. Stone also made changes in coaching, hiring Ime Udoka after parting ways with Stephen Silas. The team saw a significant turnaround during the season, leading to optimism for the future.
While the Rockets fell short of the play-in tournament this season and lack a true star player on the roster, Stone’s extension gives him the opportunity to continue working on his project. The specifics of the extension, such as the length of the contract and financial terms, have not been disclosed in the reports. Despite the challenges ahead, Stone and the Rockets remain committed to building a competitive team for the future.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Stone continues to shape the Rockets roster and guide the team through the next phases of their rebuild. With a strong core of young prospects and veteran leadership in place, the Rockets are poised to make further progress in the coming seasons. Stone’s ability to make smart decisions in the draft, free agency, and coaching hires will be crucial in determining the team’s success moving forward. As the Rockets look towards the future, they do so with confidence in Stone’s vision and leadership.
