3 Houston Rockets who definitely won’t be back next season

Mar 5, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Boban Marjanovic (51) leaves the court following the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets may need to reset their rebuild after a disappointing season painfully short on growth. Here are three big changes they could make.

There are still roughly two weeks left in the regular season but the Houston Rockets have already been mathematically (and mercifully) eliminated from playoff contention. Losing was part of the equation this season, with a young team and eyes on the top pick in the draft. But there have been precious few signs of growth or consistency as the losses piled up.

Nine players from Houston’s current roster are under contract for next season on fully guaranteed deals. Two other intriguing young players may be back as well — Kenyon Martin Jr. (club option) and Dashien Nix (partially guaranteed). With two first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft the Rockets are going to have to shed some players at the end of the rotation if they want to make any changes.

These three Houston Rockets may be looking for a new home

3. Boban Marjanovic

Boban arrived in Houston as part of the Christian Wood and, as has been true for every other stop on his NBA career, his personality has made him an absolute favorite. However, whatever effectiveness he had as a situational option is clearly dwindling and he’s played just 119 minutes this season. He hasn’t played more than 500 minutes since the 2018-19 season and hasn’t played 500 minutes over the last three years combined.

Boban seems like one of the most fun guys in the entire NBA. But with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it’s unlikely the Rockets will bring him back just for good vibes.