This team became the biggest dark horse in the offseason. Garnett predicted that the Western Conference Finals would be guaranteed?

Kevin Garnett, a Celtic legend, NBA talent with 446,000 fans on TikTok for the first time, said in his podcast program: "I think they have a three-year window for championships. In the next three years, they will reach the Western Conference Finals at least once."

That's right, the team he (Garnett) is talking about is the Houston Rockets!

The Rockets made it to the playoffs with 52 wins and 30 losses last season, and they entered the playoffs as the second in the regular season. Although they lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-3 in the first round, they never retreated from chasing the championship. They filled the vacancy of no championship in 31 years and became the top priority of the Rockets' offseason!

They first refused to execute Van Vreet's team option of $44.9 million next season, and reached a two-year, $50 million reservation contract with him. Not only did they retain their immediate combat power (average of 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists per game), but also made 14.1 million signing space for the Rockets, which also laid the foundation for subsequent forward strengthening!

Then, Dillon and Green were used as bargaining chips, plus the No. 10 picks and 5 second round picks in this year's draft, traded Durant from the Suns, strengthening his scoring points! Although Durant is 37 years old, he averages 26.6 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, which still demonstrates his strong hard-solving ability. A Western Conference scout admitted: "In the anxious moments of the playoffs, when the tactics cannot be played, handing the ball to Durant is the solution."

With Durant's joining, not only solved the problem of the Rockets' scoring drought at critical moments, but also completely released Shin Kyung's inside pressure. When the opponent no longer unscrupulously double-teams the inside, his low-post offense may be more threatening!

Immediately afterwards, the Rockets renewed Smith Jr. for 5 years and 122 million yuan. Although the data is mediocre, the three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs is as high as 45.5%. The key is that they are only 22 years old, and there are still many possibilities in the future. Judging from the contract renewal, the Rockets have also clarified their long-term core position!

This is not the end, and then signed Finney Smith for 4 years and 53 million, the top ten defensive efficiency in the league, and a good three-pointer (41.1%), just filling Dillon's vacancy! I really don’t know what the Lakers are thinking. Such a high-quality 3D gives up just by saying that she’s giving up!

Then he renewed Adams for 3 years and 39 million, and signed Capela back for 2150 years and 3 years and 2150. If the previous few transactions and contract renewals were the Rockets' clear card reinforcement, it would be a bit unintelligible to renew this contract and sign back, because Adams and Capela are both traditional centers with no space attributes, and they even made 0 three-pointers. Normally, it's enough to choose one of the two, but the Rockets want both! But there is no need to worry, after all, Capela only earns 7 million yuan an annual salary, and the cost-effectiveness is quite high!

So far, the Rockets' new season lineup roster has been released:

Starting five: Van Vreet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Smith Jr., Shinkin

Shepard, Finney Smith, Capela, Whitmore, Tari Ethan, and Adams have as many as 10 players to rotate. With the depth of the bench and the stars, it is simply a combination of the Thunder and the Pacers. The Rockets will definitely have a place in the league next season!

And Kevin Garnett also said: "The Rockets' young men will become better after the baptism of the playoffs last season, so there is no reason not to be optimistic about their entry into the championship team."

So how far will everyone think with the current Rockets' lineup and strength, next season?