There are a couple of teams that got better this summer beyond a shadow of a doubt and the Houston Rockets are one of them.
After winning 52 games and clinching a playoff berth in 2024-25, this Western Conference squad didn’t try to rest on their laurels. Far from it. Now gearing up for a highly anticipated 2025-26 campaign, there are three burning questions that the Rockets will look to answer heading into the season.
3 Burning Questions For Rockets Heading Into 2025-26 Season
How Many Wins?
Throughout the 2024-25 season, the rumors coming from the Rockets base camp suggested that they preferred to evolve internally. If they were to make a trade to shortcut the process of becoming a title-contender, they wanted a player who fit the timeline of their young core. Yet, as the Phoenix Suns’ price for Kevin Durant dropped, so did Houston’s guard. In the end, they not only traded for the soon-to-be 37-year-old, but they gave up two starters for him.
In a vacuum, swapping Durant and Jalen Green was a sensible move for both sides.
For the Suns, it not only prevented them from losing Durant for nothing in the summer of 2026, it gave Devin Booker an All-Star-caliber sidekick who’s only 23 years old. For the Rockets, it was an opportunity to improve upon their impressive 2024-25 campaign. In replacing Green with Durant, they now have an ultra-efficient first option, a superlative that didn’t fit the former.
In fact, Green shot below 44.0 percent from the field in 49 games last season, while Durant only shot below 44.0 percent from the field in 10 games. That change alone could lead to Houston winning far more games than last season.
Who Replaces Dillon Brooks?
In the process of acquiring Durant, the Rockets didn’t just trade Green, they parted ways with Dillon Brooks as well.
As they have both Amen Thompson and Tari Eason waiting in the wings, it’s not as if Houston is unable to replace him. Not to be forgotten is Dorian Finney-Smith, who they signed as a free agent in July. Yet, Brooks was an underrated marksman in his time with the Rockets, shooting 38.0 percent from 3. Finney-Smith comes closest to this number, shooting 36.2 percent from 3 for his career. Meanwhile, Thompson (22.1 percent) and Eason (34.5 percent) have been below-average 3-point shooters up to this point in their young careers.
That being said, Finney-Smith may be the better option to replace Brooks because their skillets are more similar. Still, Thompson has been touted as a potential All-Star, and for good reason. With his motor, physical tools, and playmaking alone he’s somewhat reminiscent of nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook.
Honestly, both Thompson and Finney-Smith could be starters next season, joining Durant and Alperen Sengun. Though Thompson isn’t as heady as veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, time and reps may be all he needs to close the gap. It’s also worth mentioning that Thompson can play all five positions, so VanVleet’s spot may be safe.
What’s The Rotation?
After re-signing Steven Adams and trading for Clint Capela, the Rockets center corps is pretty deep. In fact, it’s so deep that it’s possible Houston is planning to move Sengun to power forward. Adding credence to that possibility is the fact that teams are starting to deploy two-big lineups more frequently. Furthermore, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has an old-school mentality, particularly when it comes to physical toughness.
Now, that isn’t to say that Sengun is soft. Indeed, he’s both fiery and fearless. However, his frame isn’t ideally suited for banging around all game long, as he’s far more lean than burly.
If –say Adams and Sengun –were to start, it wouldn’t be complicated or convoluted. Capela and 2022 No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. would simply come off the bench behind them.
On the wings, Durant obviously has one spot locked down. The other will likely go to one of Thompson, Eason or Finney-Smith. The two that don’t start would then fortify the second unit.
At point guard, either VanVleet or Thompson will likely start. However, if Thompson is primarily playing on the wing, 2024 No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard may get the opportunity to back up VanVleet.
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