Houston RocketsHouston want to share the creation load around VanVleet
The point guard's return gives Ime Udoka another way to organise play around Durant and Sengun. Houston must turn it into collective balance.
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The Houston Rockets finished the 2025–2026 season with 52 wins and 30 defeats, fifth place in the West and a first-round exit.
An established side with a step still to take
Ime Udoka's group has a solid foundation, but it was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season. Kevin Durant remains an offensive reference point, Alperen Sengun a central piece in the paint and Amen Thompson a player whose responsibilities can grow. The challenge is to share out those strengths better once opposing defences have had time to study them.
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Targeted reinforcements and a deep bench
Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanović and Bruce Thornton are the main arrivals of the summer. Smart adds a defensive option and ball-handling, Bogdanović a threat from the outside. Reed Sheppard can also contribute to the creation. On the wings, Tari Eason and Jae’Sean Tate offer other pairings around Thompson and Durant. Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams and Clint Capela complete the frontcourt options around Sengun. Their minutes will depend on the balance chosen, not simply on the number of big men available.
- →Marcus SmartMarcus Smart · arrival in the group
- →Bogdan BogdanovicBogdan Bogdanovic · arrival in the group
- →Bruce ThorntonBruce Thornton · arrival in the group
Offensive reference points in the current group
2025–2026 regular season, all teams combined. Selection of players with at least ten games; not an exhaustive ranking. Not all the newcomers produced these numbers with their current club.
Kevin Durant, a benchmark for the group
23 % of the team's points averages
19 % of the team's assists averages
Ratios of per-game averages, 2025–26; player and team have not necessarily played the same number of games. SNA orders of magnitude, not official shares of the totals.
A point guard to ease the creative burden
Fred VanVleet returns after missing an entire season through injury. Our projection has him running part of the possessions so that Durant can receive the ball in better positions and Thompson can attack more without having to start everything. A Sengun screen can, for example, open up either a pass to the big man or a mismatch on the perimeter. That mechanism describes a possibility; it does not guarantee that the automatic patterns are already in place.
What to watch
A plausible rotation would rely on VanVleet, Thompson, Durant, Smith and Sengun, with different combinations depending on the opponent. That is our projection for the season, not an official starting line-up. Houston can aim for another direct qualification and a playoff series win. To gauge its progress, it will be necessary to follow the sharing of the ball, the contributions of the bench and the solutions found when the first option is stopped.
Creation
On the wings
Inside
SNA season projection, not an official starting five or a guaranteed available line-up for the opener. Absences and uncertainties are detailed in the dated update.
Three-point shooting, player by player
2025–26 regular season, all teams combined. Red line: club average, 36.4%. Selection: minimum ten games and at least one attempt per game.
Availability: the picture at 14 October
As of 14 October 2026, Durant, Sengun, Adams and VanVleet are listed as day-to-day. These preparation statuses and return estimates do not confirm availability for the first game. The roles outlined above relate to the season.
The squad: 18 players
Official preparation list: 18 players. The positions follow the official categories; they do not indicate a rotation hierarchy. Appearing on this list guarantees neither a permanent contract nor playing time.
| Player | Status | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwards · versatile positions | |||||
| Amen Thompson | 18.3 | 7.8 | 5.3 | 21.6 % | |
| Julian Phillips | – | – | – | – | |
| Kevin Durant | Uncertain | 26 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 41.3 % |
| Jae'Sean Tate | – | – | – | – | |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | 15.8 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 36.3 % | |
| Tari Eason | 10.5 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 35.8 % | |
| Isaiah Crawford | – | – | – | – | |
| Guards | |||||
| Bruce Thornton | Newcomer | – | – | – | – |
| Fred VanVleet | Uncertain | – | – | – | – |
| Reed Sheppard | 13.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 39.4 % | |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | Newcomer | – | – | – | – |
| Marcus Smart | Newcomer | – | – | – | – |
| Quadir Copeland | – | – | – | – | |
| Sean Pedulla | – | – | – | – | |
| Centres and bigs | |||||
| Steven Adams | Uncertain | – | – | – | – |
| Alperen Sengun | Doubtful | 20.4 | 8.9 | 6.2 | 30.5 % |
| Clint Capela | – | – | – | – | |
| Oscar Tshiebwe | – | – | – | – | |
2025–26 averages, all teams combined, for documented players. "–": unverified data, fewer than ten games or fewer than one three-point attempt per game. Statuses as of 15 October: preparation estimates, not a guarantee for the opener. Camp roster, not a final rotation.
Protecting the rebounding, making the attack flow
The size of the group and its rebounding are assets. Houston led the way in share of rebounds grabbed over the past two seasons. Bringing back a smaller point guard may alter some combinations: the gain in organisation will have to go hand in hand with keeping that physical presence. Work on shooting also features in the preparation, with the arrival of Chip Engelland, a specialist shooting coach. That approach is no promise of immediate progress.
Key supports
- Durant as the offensive reference point.
- Sengun in the paint and Thompson on the rise.
- A physical presence and rebounding.
Areas to work on
- Sharing the creation load and making possessions flow more smoothly.
- Maintaining physical balance.
- Integrating returning players without assuming availability.
Houston can aim for another direct qualification and a playoff series win.
The first markers are pairings and roles to watch, not an established hierarchy or a guarantee of results.
The regular season opens at home against Dallas on 22 October at 1:30 Brazzaville time (0:30 UTC), which is the evening of 21 October locally. See the Houston Rockets profile and the match page.
Thursday 22 October 2026 at 01:30, Brazzaville time · match centre
- The team’s live schedule appears here.
Countdown to tip-off.