Given their breakthrough season in 2023-24, it wasn’t a surprise to see general manager Rafael Stone and assistant general manager Eli Witus rewarded with new contracts in Houston.
Nonetheless, it’s now a formality, and both appear set to lead the basketball operations department of the Rockets for years to come.
At Tuesday’s end-of-season press conference to wrap up the year that was, Stone was asked about his personal bit of breaking news.
His response:
Very happy to be here. Some news leaked today. We’ve been in bed for awhile now. I’m thankful to Tilman and the Fertitta family. They’ve been great people to work for and with. Thankful to Ime [Udoka] and his staff.
It’s been an enjoyable year. We have the chance to build something special here. That’s very much my goal. I want to build the absolutely best team we can, something built for sustainable success, and I think we have a very good chance of that. So, I am excited.
Stone has operated as Houston’s GM since Daryl Morey’s departure in October 2020 (before that, he was Morey’s No. 2 executive). After three rebuilding seasons, the Rockets (41-41) transitioned back to relevance and competed at a high level last season — and given their young and improving core of players, further growth is expected as Houston shifts its focus to 2024-25 and beyond.
Complete video of Stone’s press conference is available below.
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