NBA Hoops

Does Houston even need to start a traditional point guard in 2022?

Does Houston even need to start a traditional point guard in 2022?

The Houston Rockets face seemingly endless possibilities when it comes to addressing the starting lineup for 2022. Jalen Green, picked No. 2 overall in 2021, is a lock to start at shooting guard. Reports from the team also suggest that Eric Gordon, despite his age at 33 years old, is likely to start on account of his 3-point shooting and defensive capabilities.

Of course, it should also be assumed whoever the team takes at No. 3 overall in the 2022 draft will start. Whether that’s Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, or Duke’s Paolo Banchero, their talent will be too immense for a rebuilding Houston team to keep them off the court.

After that, however, it’s a raging debate. While Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood would appear to be the frontrunners based on 2021-22 production, there are a lot of variables to consider. Let’s dive into it.

Frontcourt options

Much of the discussion revolves around the frontcourt. Christian Wood’s performance the last two years would almost certainly suggest that he should be in the starting lineup. Instead, Houston’s double-double center from last season is expected to be on the trading block due to questions over his defensive fit and contractual status (final season).

There are a wide range of opinions over how to approach second-year center Alperen Sengun and how quickly his offensive flashes of brilliance should be addressed. Similiarly, nobody can quite agree on how to use 2020-21 All-Rookie First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate. Tate’s high-energy play and defensive aptitude are certainly appreciated, but others point to his older age and relative offensive stagnation to this point.

Point guard role

In all of this discussion, there somehow seems to be very little debate around the first starter on the floor. That’s at point guard.

Entering his fourth NBA season, Kevin Porter Jr. has finally found stability. After a mid-season trade in 2021 to the Rockets, Porter showed flashes of great play in 2022 and started 61 games. Rookie guard Daishen Nix, an undrafted free agent in 2021, is held in high regard by the team, with reports going as far as to suggest they view Nix as a “lottery talent.”

Despite this level of stability, there’s a different question that Houston might need to consider, depending on how things go on draft night. Do the Rockets even need a traditional point guard starting in…

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