Although the Rockets have lost their playoff hopes early this season, their rebuilding has begun to see the beginning, especially the backcourt combination dominated by Green and Porter Jr., which has become the core of the Rockets' future reconstruction. In order to be able to retain the core combination, the Rockets also hope to keep the two in the team as soon as possible. This summer, Porter Jr. qualified for an early contract extension with the Rockets, and the contract could reach up to $184 million for four years.
Ever since Porter Jr. was traded to the Rockets, he has conquered the Rockets with his performances. Especially last season, Porter Jr. played an efficient performance after returning to the Rockets after a brief period of development league playing, which became the Rockets' biggest gain in the second half of last season. By this season, although Porter Jr.'s scoring has declined, his overall efficiency has improved a lot, and he has become the most stable player in the Rockets' backcourt.
In addition to becoming more efficient in his own performance, the combination of Porter Jr. and Green is also becoming more and more tacit. Although both belong to players who need the ball, Porter Jr. has not had much conflict with Green, especially on the offensive end, and the way the two take turns to dominate the attack has made the Rockets gradually find the feeling of small ball tactics. Even when the two men took turns leading the team, Porter Jr. performed better than Green at certain moments.
Compared to last season, Porter Jr. played more efficiently and steadily on the offensive end, especially in terms of three-point shooting, and Porter Jr. has improved a lot. So far this season, Porter Jr. has shot 368 three-pointers and shot 135, shooting 36.7 percent from the field. As a team that focuses on small-ball tactics, the Rockets attach great importance to three-pointers, and Porter Jr. happens to be what the Rockets need most. Not only that, but Porter Jr.'s growth on the defensive end is also very rapid, he can always find the gap between the opponent's dribbles, and use steals to help the Rockets play a high-quality defensive counterattack.
Although Porter Jr.'s performance is becoming more and more stable, the potential of "cancer" in his body has not decreased. Back in his rookie season, Porter Jr. was upset with the locker room because he was dissatisfied with the team's arrangement, and he was traded by the Cavaliers shortly after that. Although the Rockets now need a backcourt player like him, Porter Jr.'s control of the ball and the rocket's future tactical changes may once again start Porter Jr.'s "cancerous" attributes, laying hidden dangers for the future of the Rockets.
The Rockets want to lock in Porter Jr. with a high salary, but also to let the team complete the rebuild faster. But once Porter Jr. gets a high salary, he will inevitably not be arrogant, especially in the mode of getting along with Green, Little Porter is more likely to face Green with a high posture. If the two have a conflict over the ball, the Rockets' rebuilding plan will be delayed and the team's locker room atmosphere will fall to the bottom.
Therefore, for the sake of leaving Porter Jr., it is not impossible, but on the issue of contract renewal, it is also necessary to be cautious and cautious. Porter Jr.'s ability is good, but the talent ceiling is not high, and if he easily gives a high salary to his hand, the Rockets' salary space will also be limited. Only by weighing the full pros and cons can the rocket complete the reconstruction.