On Tuesday, it was reported that the Houston Rockets had extended the contract of general manager Rafael Stone. Stone, the team’s former general counsel, moved into his current role in 2020 after the departure of longtime executive Daryl Morey. The Rockets this season won 41 games, a remarkable turnaround after winning just 22 games the prior season, and three consecutive losing seasons.
Stone inherited his position facing less than ideal circumstances with star guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden both disgruntled and requesting trades. Harden was not dealt until well into the 2020-2021 season, with Stone making the first major move of his career as general manager; the Rockets dealt Harden to the Brooklyn Nets for a package which essentially amounted to the duration of Brooklyn’s draft capital into the future.
Over the next three seasons, under Stone’s leadership and direction, the Rockets franchise embarked upon a youth movement and rebuild. This came after a near decade of contention with the Morey/Harden partnership at the helm. What ensued were consecutive losing seasons: 17-55 in 2020-2021, 20-62 in 2021-2022, and 22-60 in 2022-2023. The result was three consecutive top four lottery picks in successive years: Jalen Green (#2) in 2021, Jabari Smith Jr. (#3) in 2022, and Amen Thompson (#4) in 2023. Stone also used draft capital later in the first round in each of the three years to select Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Cam Whitmore. Those six prospects now make up what Houston considers its “Core 6” prospects around which the franchise hopes to build. Each of the six has shown promise thus far.
This season was considered the first of “Phase 2” of Stone’s rebuild. After working to clear the books on the team’s cap, he spent lavishly in free agency to acquire veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in an effort to remake the team’s culture and instill leadership in the lockerroom. And after parting ways with head coach Stephen Silas, Stone hired Ime Udoka. The result was one of the most impressive single season turnarounds in recent history.
There is still much work to do. Houston fell short of the play-in tournament this season. It’s also unclear whether there is a true star on the roster. But at the least, Stone will get the opportunity to see his project through. Years and financial terms on Stone’s extension were not disclosed in today’s reports.