Other executives around the NBA appear to strongly approve of recent moves made by Houston general manager Rafael Stone, who is working to rebuild the Rockets in the aftermath of James Harden’s exit.
In the 20th annual NBA.com GM Survey, general managers responded to 48 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves entering the 2021-22 season. Each general manager was not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel.
Percentages are based on the pool of respondents who answered a given question. Some general managers did not respond to every topic.
As it pertains to the Rockets, Jalen Green (47%) was the top choice among general managers who predicted the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year. Detroit’s Cade Cunningham (40%) came in a close second.
With Green as the clear focal point of Houston’s rebuild, the Rockets came in second (10%) in a question asking which NBA team has the most promising young core. Only Atlanta ranked higher (50%), which means that Houston led the way among all Western Conference teams.
https://t.co/Pqxh2EPubW 2021-22 GM Survey
The NBA's decision-makers tap the deep and talented Nets to win the title and Kevin Durant to win his second career Kia MVP. (via @johnschuhmann)https://t.co/mTHFxmjTFH pic.twitter.com/Xph6wOFtZg
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2021
In other questions, Kevin Porter Jr. (7%) finished fourth among players expected to have a breakout season; the Rockets (7%) tied for third on which team made the best 2021 offseason moves; Green (23%) placed third when asked which rookie will be the best player in five years, trailing Evan Mobley (33%) and Cunningham (30%); and Alperen Sengun (20%), who was drafted at No. 16 overall, came in second on a question of which rookie was the biggest steal, relative to his draft slot. Only Jalen Suggs (23%), who went No. 5 to Orlando, ranked higher.
The Rockets were also mentioned on multiple occasions in the “also receiving votes” category, including a team nomination for most improved in 2021-22 and for John Lucas as best assistant coach.
The complete GM survey results can be viewed here.
