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2025-26 NBA Guide : Houston Rockets
Rockets: An Impressive Season!After years of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets finally reaped the rewards of smart decisions and returned to a leading role in the Western Conference during the 2024–25 season. The team reached the playoffs for the first time since 2019–20, finishing second in the standings with a 52–30 record.In only his second year […]
Rockets: An Impressive Season!
After years of rebuilding, the Houston Rockets finally reaped the rewards of smart decisions and returned to a leading role in the Western Conference during the 2024–25 season. The team reached the playoffs for the first time since 2019–20, finishing second in the standings with a 52–30 record.
In only his second year on the job, head coach Ime Udoka managed to turn the Texas franchise into a defensive powerhouse. The Rockets posted the fourth-best defensive rating of the regular season (110.8) and allowed the sixth-fewest points per game in the entire league (109.9).
A key pillar of Houston’s defensive dominance was the development of Amen Thompson. The second-year guard was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team after holding opponents to just 40.7% shooting on contested attempts — the best mark among defenders who played at least ten games and defended an average of nine shots per night. He also posted an offensive rating of 107.9, the tenth-best among players averaging at least 30 minutes per game.
Offensively, however, the Rockets showed some clear weaknesses — most notably the lack of players capable of creating their own shots. In that sense, Alperen Şengün stood out, enjoying the best season of his career with averages of 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds. The Turkish big man not only proved to be the face of the franchise but also earned his first All-Star appearance.
Despite their talent and defensive excellence, the team ultimately fell victim to its own youth. Amid Jalen Green’s inconsistency — even though he led the team in scoring during the regular season — Houston couldn’t overcome the duo of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler with the Golden State Warriors, losing in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.
Rockets Feel Momentum and End Their Rebuild
Houston made all the right moves to take the next step and truly enter championship contention. The headline move of the offseason was the acquisition of Kevin Durant in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. The deal cost them Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but the 15-time All-Star veteran arrives to address the offensive struggles the team faced in 2024.
Naturally, adding a superstar like “KD” would already elevate the team, but the Rockets didn’t stop there.
Another key addition was Dorian Finney-Smith, acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers. Considering Brooks’ departure, Houston brought in another wing with strong defensive traits to fill that role.
The supporting cast was also strengthened. In the frontcourt, the Rockets brought back Steven Adams on a new deal and repatriated Clint Capela, who, despite declining production, remains an effective rim protector. In addition, Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. received contract extensions. However, VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and is expected to miss the entire season.
Texans Aim to Take the Next Step in the Competitive West
With excellent additions and few departures, the Rockets are expected to compete for the NBA title in 2025–26. Above all, the very signing of Kevin Durant shows that the team intends to chase a championship as soon as next season, since he was acquired on an expiring contract and has not yet agreed to an extension.
Alongside Durant’s arrival, Houston will also count on the continued growth of young players such as Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. to cement themselves among the favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June 2026.
Sep 29, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) speaks to the media during Houston Rockets Media Day at Toyota Center. Photo: Troy Taormina–Imagn Images
Is Kevin Durant the Missing Piece?
As mentioned several times throughout this preview, Kevin Durant will undoubtedly be the center of attention for the Rockets next season. One of the greatest players of the past decade, the forward is now in the final years of his career and has little time left to capture the championship he’s been chasing since leaving the Golden State Warriors.
Even at nearly 37 years old, Durant continues to play at an elite level. He was once again an NBA All-Star last season, averaging 26.6 points, 6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 52.7% shooting from the field, standing out as one of the few bright spots in the Suns’ disastrous campaign.
Notably, Durant has averaged at least 25 points, 50% from the field, and 40% from three-point range in each of the last three seasons he has played — the longest such streak in NBA history.
Still one of basketball’s premier scorers, the veteran promises to be the final piece Houston needed to establish itself among the NBA’s elite.
Offense Needs to Produce More
The Rockets will enter the 2025–26 season focused on improving their efficiency in isolation scoring situations — where players must create offense on their own. Last season, the team generated only 0.91 points per possession in isolation plays, according to GeniusIQ. That ranked among the worst in the NBA, ahead of only the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Toronto Raptors — all teams that finished near the bottom of the standings.
In addition, Houston ranked 27th in field-goal percentage on pull-up midrange shots and 24th overall in field-goal percentage. Despite being one of the teams that used isolation plays most frequently (seventh in attempts per game), their efficiency ranked fourth-worst.
However, the addition of Kevin Durant promises to be the solution. The forward can create his own shot and punish defenses without relying heavily on teammates.
Not only is Durant far better than any previous option on the roster, but he also led the NBA in isolation efficiency in 2024–25, scoring 1.21 points per possession. Among players with at least 200 isolation plays, Durant ranked first in the league.
