2. Keep Harden and Paul Fresh for the Playoffs

Look, injuries happen. And at this point, maybe we should just accept that Chris Paul is cursed to never play in the Finals. But the best way to fight against the injury bug is to keep players from logging tons of minutes.

Harden hasn’t missed a playoff game in over four years. But some analysts have pointed to his poor performance in elimination games as signs of burnout. After all, a rested Harden is a happy Harden.

Last year, fatigue was much less apparent, likely because Paul took a lot of responsibility off Harden. CP3 helped Harden from having to do everything as a point guard in D’Antoni’s system. Still, there seems to be a correlation of Harden not working himself so hard in the regular season and dropping in more 40 point performances in the postseason.

I’ve wondered if the Rockets taking on so many high-potential players this offseason, particularly Marquese Chriss and DeAnthony Melton, is a way to have Harden and Paul sit while these guys can find their rhythm. This sort of trade-off seems more pragmatic than having someone like 32-year-old Gerald Green or Ryan Anderson fill these less important minutes.

In whatever way they go about it, the Rockets should continue to find ways to reduce Harden’s minutes (something they’ve done for the last three years) and lessen the wear and tear on Paul’s body. The better shape their in come May, the better chance the Rockets have of making it to the big dance.

Next Up: Goal 1