On May 16, Beijing time, according to NBA reporter Kelly Iko, the Rockets will try to renew Shen Jing's contract this summer. This season, Shin Kyung averaged 21.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, playing close to All-Star standards. At present, Shin Kyung is the long-term plan of the Rockets, and the Rockets do not plan to continue to upgrade the roster at the center position. In addition, the Rockets are interested in using the No. 3 pick in 2024 to select Serbian point guard Topic. Rocket management believes that Topic and Shin Kyung have good compatibility. Topic is able to form a very good chemistry with Shin Kyung.
With a height of 1.98 meters and an arm span of 2.11 meters, Topic has a very good basketball IQ and passing vision. In addition, the Rockets currently have only one point guard for VanVleet, and VanVleet's contract expires next summer. For the Rockets, selecting a point guard this summer is the best time to do so. Among the rookies in this year, including point guards such as Topit, Shepard, Erlingham, Castle and Collier, Topeic has the highest template ceiling.
Next summer, the Rockets have seven contracts expiring, namely VanVleet, Jalen Green, Jeff Green, Landale, Adams, Tate, and Shin Jing. In addition, only five people have contracts: Smith, Eason, Thompson, Whitmore, and Brooks. Therefore, the Rockets need to add more people in the 2 positions of center and point guard. Next summer, the Rockets have one first-round pick that is interchangeable with the Nets' first-round pick. So, in the summer of 2025, the Rockets can try to add 1 center. The best option this summer would be to add a point guard first.