The Rockets opened training camp Wednesday with the question hanging over everything: what does a healthy Fred VanVleet mean for this team after he missed the entire 2025-2026 season?
That was the biggest topic at Houston’s annual Media Day, too. Ime Udoka said VanVleet isn’t expected to play back-to-backs, but the veteran point guard is making good progress. Then came the real first look at the group on the floor, with the Rockets holding a full workout at their training facility in Houston and every player taking part.
VanVleet was right in the middle of it. He spoke Tuesday at Media Day and again after practice Wednesday, discussing what it feels like to be back on the court, whether he expects to play back-to-backs, and what he learned watching from the bench last season.
He also addressed how he and Kevin Durant, as veterans, can help the Rockets get moving quickly even though they didn’t play together last season. VanVleet added that he doesn’t view any individual game as a “being back” moment, because he sees the process as something that will continue all season.
Udoka, meanwhile, focused on how Houston wants to operate with VanVleet back in the mix. When asked about the offense, he said, ”Definitely want to move Kevin around. If teams are going to try and take him out, they can pretty much do that anywhere on the court, but you can put him in some better spots to take advantage of that and avoid some blitzes.”
The coach also talked about the team’s emphasis on day one and what Marcus Smart brings to the roster. He was asked whether the Rockets feel overlooked heading into the season as well.
Smart was the final player to speak after practice, and he discussed working with VanVleet, the culture inside the Rockets’ locker room, and where he fits into it.
The timing matters here. Houston’s camp opened a week earlier than usual because the season starts in China with two games against the Dallas Mavericks beginning October 7. The preseason follows on October 15, including the Rockets’ one home preseason game that same day.
Media Day gave fans and reporters a chance to check in with familiar faces like Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, along with newcomers such as Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. But the first real checkpoint of the season was Wednesday, and the Rockets finally had their full group together on the floor.
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