NBA midseason grades: Southwest Division

It’s no surprise that a team constructed specifically to support and accentuate Luka Doncic has floundered with a totally different player as their tentpole.

Still, Cooper Flagg’s pretty good, eh?

Houston Rockets (24-15): B+

The Rockets are deep, talented and versatile. Yet they haven’t quite put it all together. That might be a symptom of losing veteran point guard Fred VanVleet on the eve of the season.

While youngsters Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard have shown the ability to take on some playmaking, neither are natural point guards. Kevin Durant is still an elite scorer, but concessions to age (37) have been his defense and playmaking.

Fortunately, Houston can lean on star center Alperen Sengun as an offensive hub, and he’s responded with 6.4 assists, by far a career high. Sengun, in fact, has posted elite numbers (21.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals and a block) across the board.

The return of Tari Eason, who provides prototypical three-and-D play (46.9% from deep) has been a boon for the Rockets.

Memphis Grizzlies (17-23): D

Maybe we should have seen it coming.

The offseason trade of Desmond Bane was supposed to be a retool around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. But, after all of Morant's off-the-court issues and problems with the coaching staff, as well as his declining game despite the fact he should be entering his prime years, it’s no surprise he is on the trade block. And if he goes, why not move on from Jackson and rebuild completely?

The return for Morant will likely be less than the already underwhelming return that Atlanta received for Trae Young. Moving Morant won’t facilitate any sort of overhaul. If the Grizzlies decide that Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and their array of young wings is their new foundation, sending out the talented but flawed All-Star forward for a haul would be the move to make.

Something has to give in Memphis. Morant will go. But will that be the only move?

New Orleans Pelicans (10-34): F

Yes, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears are very good rookies. Yes, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are very good wings. Yes, Zion Williamson is, when healthy, a tornado. Yes, they have capable veterans. But despite those individual bright spots, the jigsaw just hasn’t fit together.  

While the trade to acquire him was awful in its process, Queen could turn into tentpole for the Pelicans to build around. But like most things Pelicans, every potential answer leads to another question.

Does the Queen/Williamson combination contain enough defensive ability? Does Fears need to play next to a point guard? If so, can New Orleans put enough size in its backcourt? Can Jones shoot well enough to supplement his stellar defense?

What’s more valuable to New Orleans: Murphy or the haul that he might garner?

San Antonio Spurs (28-13): A+

They’ve done it again, folks.

The Spurs are set to be the team best set up to challenge the Thunder over the next decade. They’ve beaten the Thunder three times already this season.

Rightly, much of the spotlight shines on Victor Wembanyama, but the Spurs are so much more than that. De’Aaron Fox has been excellent, driving perimeter offense and allowing young studs Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper to find themselves at their own pace.

Throw in the veteran steadiness of Harrison Barnes and Devin Vassell, as well as possible Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, and this team is so close to genuine contention … and far ahead of schedule.