After trading for Kevin Durant this summer, the Houston Rockets have assembled a squad that is ready to contend for an NBA championship.
The Rockets are coming off a surprising second-place finish in a star-studded Western Conference, though they still lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. However, Houston has compiled a strong mix of talented veterans and rising stars by adding Durant, with high expectations surrounding the 2025-26 campaign.
Still, the club may not be done making moves just yet. The West is stacked, and the Rockets will have to make it past the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves — among others poised to contend.
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Rockets may explore moving Fred VanVleet this season
The Rockets made another big decision when they declined Fred VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option in June, though they brought him back on a two-year, $50 million deal that includes a player option for 2026-27. Still, he saw a dip in production last season, and Jed Katz of SI.com believes he could be a top trade candidate for Houston this year.
“He will have the primary role of a distributor, but there may also be younger and better point guards on the market this season,” he wrote. “This will be a make-or-break year for VanVleet if he wants to stay out of trade rumors.”
The Rockets also have internal options to run the point. Amen Thompson showcased his potential in that position last season, and he’s also extremely athletic with tons of upside.
Additionally, Houston has Reed Sheppard, who was the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and may be ready for a more significant role entering his second season.
If VanVleet’s offensive struggles persist into the 2025-26 season and those young options continue to improve, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name on the trade block.
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