Add another defensive player! The Rockets 195 million US dollars in 14+1 formation is released: Durant s helper is rushing to the championship

On July 23, the Rockets signed forward defensive player Okogi for $3.1 million in one year. The team currently has 14 regular NBA contracts, and one more person has a two-way contract. The Rockets' salary totaled $194.7 million. This summer, the Rockets have introduced Durant, Finney Smith, Capela and Okogie, and their overall strength has been greatly improved, especially the forward talents, and this team has many defensive experts. After Durant left the Warriors, he has not been able to fulfill his dream of winning the championship again, but now he has a chance to win the championship in the Rockets.

The Rockets' current 14+1 lineup is as follows: Van Vreet, Shepard, Amen, Aaron Holiday, Durant, Finney Smith, Jabbarry Smith Jr., Ethan, Tate, Jeff Green, Okogie, Shinkin, Adams, Capela, Kevin Harris (two-way contract). The Rockets are still $1.2 million away from the hard salary cap. The Rockets can continue to sign two players with two-way contracts, but this does not have a big impact on the team. The Rockets' rotation next season is likely to be the current 14 players, and some of them may not have many opportunities to play.

Okogi's joining further improves the Rockets' forward strength. Okogi is a defensive all-rounder on the front line. Although he is only 1.93 meters tall, he has an arm span of 2.13 meters and can defend against No. 1 to No. 4. He played for the Suns for two and a half seasons and was an important rotation player for the Suns, even starting 38 games with the Suns.

This time Okogie and Durant meet again. The Rockets sent away players in the offseason include Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks, Whitmore, and Landael, while the new players are Durant, Finney Smith, Capela and Okogie. The Rockets' lineup has become increasingly taller, improving their inside strength, improving their defensive strength, and of course improving their offensive stability. Okoji is very suitable for Uduka's defensive system. He is a player based on defense, and Uduka attaches great importance to defense.

Before Uduka joined, the Rockets ranked 29th in the league with defensive efficiency of 118.6 in the 2022-23 season. After Uduka arrived, the Rockets ranked tenth in the league in defensive efficiency of 112.8 in 2023-24, and the Rockets ranked fifth in the league in defensive efficiency of 110.3 in 2024-25.

Okoji has strong defensive ability, but he has shooting shortcomings. Objectively speaking, he is not a 3D player. After all, his three-point shooting rate is not high and his three-point output is not high. Okogi's career three-point shooting percentage is only 29.9%, averaging only 0.7 three-pointers.

Okogi played a total of 40 games with the Suns and Hornets, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shooting percentage of 44.3%, three-point shooting percentage of 34.8%, and free throw percentage of 74.1%. If Okogi had good three-point shooting ability, he would not be just a basic salary player, but a player with an annual salary of 10 million or even 20 million.

The Rockets are now full of talents, and coach Uduka can send out different lineups according to the existing personnel configuration. They can play in the double tower lineup and the five small lineup. They have up to eight forward players - Durant, Amen, Finney Smith, Jabbarry Smith Jr., Ethan, Tate, Jeff Green and Okogie.

In the sun full of talents, Okogi should not have much playing time. In the forward position, Durant and Jabbarry Smith Jr. should occupy two starting positions, while Amen will move to the starting shooting guard position. The forward substitutes Finney Smith and Ethan are in the front position. Tate, Jeff Green and Okogie need to fight for playing time.

coach Uduka will face the trouble of happiness. Not only is there a large striker, but there are also a large number of people in the center. The starting center is Shin Kyung, and Adams and Capela share the time of the substitute center, which is destined to be impossible to play for a long time.

The Rockets really have the strength to challenge the Northwest Twin Thunder and Nuggets.