The Rockets No. 5 position is worry-free? Experts recommend 29-year-old center, who can replace Adams! Stone does not need to sign aid

The interior is the Rockets' most perfect position this season. In this position, the center positions include Shin Kyung, Langdale, Adams and 23-year-old undrafted center Dante, and the power forward position is also full of talents. In addition to Amen Thompson, who occupied the starting position and changed to power forward, there are also players such as Jabbarri Smith, Ethan, Jeff Green and Jay Sean Tate.

It can be said that the Rockets are full of talents in the interior, especially in their center position, and there are many players of various types: some are good at scoring at low posts, some are good at screening and defense at the basket, some are good at three-pointers on the outside, and some are responsible for guarding the inside and doing some dirty and tiring work. Therefore, even if the Rockets introduce superstars, their inside advantage should not be easily given up next season. After all, the inside position in the league is becoming more and more important. The Pacers and the Thunder, which entered the finals, both the Pacers and the Thunder, both have very strong and powerful inside: the Thunder have a double tower combination of Haltenstein and Chetholmgren, and the Pacers also have an inside combination of Turner and Siakam. Although these players are not top superstars, their overall strength can be said to be quite considerable. The Rockets actually don’t have to worry about the center position (that is, the No. 5 position) next season. Even if veteran Adams expires in his two-year contract and becomes a free agent to join other teams, the Rockets have other centers to spare.

Rockets' team reporter Ben Dubos pointed out that once Adams' contract expires and no longer renews the contract with the Rockets, then Langdale, the Rockets' third center this season, may play a greater role in the new season (that is, the 2025-2026 season). Because everyone knows that two years ago, Langdale signed a four-year contract with the Rockets for 32 million yuan. Except for the first year that was guaranteed, the remaining three years were non-guaranteed, and his average annual salary reached 8 million yuan.

Now the two-year contract has been executed. Next season and next season, Langdale will take an annual salary of 8 million from the Rockets every year, which is not particularly much for a versatile inside big man.

In fact, Langdale's contract is very flexible. If the Rockets can keep Adams next season, they can cut Langdale, save the 8 million yuan, and free up salary space to introduce scorers or outside ball holders; but once Adams cannot be persuaded by the Rockets to finally leave Houston, then the 29-year-old Langdale can become Adams' first substitute, just like the 2023-2024 seasons, and occupy a significant position in the Rockets' second team.

If Landal is not cut by the Rockets before June 29, then his 8 million contract will become a formal guarantee contract, which means that Landal will continue to play for the Rockets next season. Therefore, the Rockets should first find a way to keep Adams. If the Rockets still have a plan B, it is to execute Langdale's third-year contract, leaving Langdale to become Shin Kyung's first substitute to ensure the normal operation of the Rockets' inside line.

In fact, if the Rockets really lose Adams, Manager Stone doesn't have to rush to find a new center in the free agent market, and there is no need to rush to sign, because Langdale can completely replace Adams' position. He has stronger scoring ability and shooting ability. Although the defense quality is not as good as Adams, Langdale is not afraid of physical confrontation. He is also a master of basket protection.

What's more, the Rockets still have the opportunity to continue to use a cheap contract to keep Dante. In this way, even if Adams leaves, the Rockets have nothing to worry about at No. 5.