Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been the worst team in the NBA for two consecutive seasons. They don’t just need Obi Toppin: they need just about everything.

It’s unclear whether they’ll even have space for Toppin in their backcourt in 2022-23. They already roster Christian Wood and Alperen Sengun, and they’ll likely be adding one of Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr., or Chet Holmgren following the NBA Draft.

That shouldn’t stop them from pursuing Toppin. With his versatile brand of defense, he can theoretically fit alongside any of the players we just named. As a rebuilding team, the Rockets should be in the business of acquiring talent and sorting out the fit later.

Plus, Wood is widely viewed as a strong trade candidate. In this positionless league, the Rockets would have plenty of combinations to work with after landing Toppin. Smith Jr. may be able to play the 3. Banchero may be able to play the 4. Holmgren, long-term, is probably a 5.

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None of which particularly matters. If the Rockets can land Toppin without parting with draft capital or other young players, they can’t afford to hesitate.