The Houston Rockets are heading down the final lap as a disappointing facsimile of what they were last season.
In 2014-15, they were pressing for the second-best record in the West. This year, they’re barely clinging to a playoff spot and a “chance” to get swept by the Golden State Warriors in the opening round.
And frankly, it might be better if they just whiffed on the postseason. According to RealGM, their first-round pick in this year’s draft is lottery-protected and, unlike most protected picks, doesn’t roll over into the next season; it just becomes Portland’s second-round selection in 2017.