What is the deep meaning behind the Rockets’ crazy “stocking” on the first day of the summer window?

The Rockets once again stole the limelight on the first day of the 2025 free agent market, which was really dazzling. Durant's big deal was just finalized a week ago, and I thought their new lineup had been solidly formed. After all, with Durant leading the team, supplemented by veterans such as VanVleet, Adams, and Jeff Green, the Rockets will be fully capable of causing trouble in the Western Conference and even the league next season.

But unexpectedly, as soon as the signing window opened, the Rockets were still idle, and they signed two powerful players, Finney Smith and Capela in succession. Finney Smith won a new contract of $53 million for four years, with a starting salary slightly lower than the full middle class exception; while Capela returned with a full guarantee contract of $21.5 million for three years, but due to space restrictions, it is likely that he would eventually take the routine of signing first and then changing.

In the past week, the Rockets have completed 12 operations through transactions, renewals and signings. The courage and wisdom of the management are admirable. The other 29 teams in the league may have to be matched.

Why do the Rockets still frequently strengthen their lineup while they are quite complete, introducing Finney Smith and Capela one after another? From the perspective of Rockets general manager Raphael Stone, there are more than one reason.

First, after getting Durant, the team has only one goal - to strive for the championship. But it is not possible to create a championship lineup with Durant and young geniuses as the core, both offense and defense. There will inevitably be challenges during running-in, and it is also a necessary process to test different tactical solutions. If you want to find the best solution, the lineup is flexible enough, with a variety of options and fault tolerance.

tactical patchwork is the business of coach Uduka, and Stone's responsibility is to provide him with a wealth of lineup combination possibilities as much as possible. Stone is very clear that not all new players will be on the core list of the playoffs, but since the Rockets have the strength to strengthen and enhance the depth of rotation, why not do it? Improving the lineup strength to "over-paper surplus" will only benefit the team.

Not to mention that Finney Smith and Capela are both players with tactical value. Electric Fan switches freely when starting as the Lakers. Although the data is not dazzling, the three-point shooting percentage has remained above 40% for a long time, which is a stable projection point. On the defensive end, he has good marking ability and can switch defenses in multiple positions. The Rockets had sent Dillon Brooks away, and Finney Smith's addition made up for this puzzle.

Capela has a deep relationship with the Rockets. After being selected in 2014, when Harden led the team, he was the most trusted inside partner of the "Big Beard". As a pie-type center, he was at the top level in the league. Although he is 31 years old, he still maintained 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1 block in the Hawks last season, with a shooting percentage of up to 55.9%. After returning to the Rockets, although it overlaps with Shin Kyung and Adams, Capela has brought new tactical choices to the team in terms of basket protection and vertical jumps with her height and wingspan.

The Rockets tasted the sweetness of the big lineup against the Warriors last season, and the double towers once made the Warriors' defense line fall into despair. After Capela joined, the tactical changes of the two tower combination have become more abundant, which is very likely to make the opponent unable to defend.

Not only does it have sufficient firepower in the interior, but it has Durant and Finney Smith's support on the front line, but the small lineup still has the advantage of size and wingspan. If Wuduka can explore multiple long lineups to flexibly switch, the Rockets' high-rise tactics may become a nightmare for the strong rivals in the West, and even affect the tactical trend of the entire league.

Stone's crazy stockpiling of goods has another advantage: The Rockets are full of talents, and they can launch big moves again after the core is formed in the future. Especially after December, new players will be qualified for trading, and the team's trading space will increase greatly. If you are satisfied with the core, you only need to deal with the marginal personnel to adjust the lineup; if you still lack superstars, the Rockets have the strength to negotiate any heavyweight deal, and even poaching Antetokounmpo is not a dream.

Now that the free agent market has just opened, the Rockets have held many aces, and the senior executives of other teams can only sigh and envy and hate!