Rockets vs Hornets Preview: Green & Shenjing Complete Early Extensions, Young Rockets Aim for Opening Win

On October 24 at 8 AM, the NBA regular season continues with the Houston Rockets hosting the Charlotte Hornets.

The Houston Rockets narrowly missed the play-in tournament last season, finishing with a 41-41 record and placing 11th in the Western Conference. This new season, they will continue to push for a playoff spot. During this off-season, the Rockets did not make any major moves, with their biggest acquisition being the selection of Shephard with the third overall pick. This is a perfect addition to the roster. With Shephard on board, the team has more options in the backcourt, and as owner Tilman Fertitta noted, all 14 players on guaranteed contracts can contribute in rotations on other teams.

Before the start of the new season, the Rockets finally reached early extension agreements with Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün. Both young stars made sacrifices in these deals. Green became the first rookie in NBA history to sign a 2+1 deal worth over $100 million, specifically a three-year, $106 million contract with a player option for the third year. Şengün signed a below-max contract worth $185 million over five years, with a player option for the fifth year. With these extensions in place, the team will aim to perform at their best in the new season. The only uncertainty remains with Tari Eason, who recently unfollowed the Rockets’ official media account.

The Charlotte Hornets had another disappointing season last year, finishing with a 21-61 record and placing 13th in the Eastern Conference. They are still in the rebuilding phase. Although the Hornets have promising young talents like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, their overall roster strength is still lacking. It will be challenging for them to make significant progress in the new season, and they will likely be in contention for the top draft pick again.

This summer, the Hornets retained Miles Bridges and signed Seth Curry and Taj Gibson, while also acquiring Josh Green. The lineup is reasonably balanced. However, the key will be Ball’s health. Over the past two seasons, he has played only 58 games, but his performance on the court has been outstanding. If he cannot play, it will significantly impact the team. Additionally, Brandon Miller will enter his second NBA season after averaging 17.3 points in his rookie year, showing great potential. This season will be crucial for him, as it will determine whether he can become a star.

This is the first game of the new season for both teams, and they are expected to give their all. Mark Williams of the Hornets will be unavailable, while the Rockets will have all their players ready to go. This will be a matchup between two young teams, with the Rockets aiming for an opening win. The Hornets should not be underestimated, as they can pose a significant challenge once they get into their rhythm.

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