As investments expand, Rockets tout ‘unlimited resources’ from owner Tilman Fertitta
With recent investments such as a state-of-the-art training center and practice facility (at an estimated cost of $70 million) and a new team plane, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is spending at the margins to give his team a better chance at NBA success.
To general manager Rafael Stone, whose job involves frequently making a sales pitch on behalf of the Rockets to players, coaches, and agents across the league, those investments are clearly being noticed.
At Tuesday’s press conference for the new training center, Stone was asked whether these recent investments can potentially make the franchise look more desirable around the NBA. He responded:
We’re an attractive property, and we have been. The City of Houston sells itself in the NBA. So does Tilman, as an owner. I walked into an incredibly lucky job. We’re not one of the franchise that worries that people don’t want to be here, or don’t want to stay here. Tilman has made it clear from day one that he essentially has unlimited resources and will do whatever is necessary to make sure this is the best run franchise in the NBA. That puts it over the top.
“Don’t think that you don’t have a budget,” Fertitta responded to Stone with a smile. “I’m not that great.” That drew a laugh from many in attendance at the new facility.
“We’ve never told him no, though,” Fertitta said regarding financial requests from Stone. “I will tell you (in the media) that.”
Tuesday’s complete press conference can be viewed below. In the years ahead, Fertitta’s willingness to spend will certainly be tested as Houston’s current crop of young players from recent NBA draft cycles ages into more expensive contracts. That list starts with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, who are owed new deals by July 2025 at the latest.
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This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets GM cites ‘unlimited resources’ from owner Tilman Fertitta