Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets are heading into the 2026-27 season with plenty of attention on them, and Magic Johnson thinks they’ll be right in the middle of a crowded Western Conference race.
Johnson weighed in Monday on Houston’s outlook, putting the Rockets among a group of dangerous teams behind the conference favorites. He also pointed to a key reason for optimism: Fred VanVleet’s return after missing last season with an injury.
“Both the Eastern and Western Conferences are stacked. Halliburton is coming back from the Pacers and they’ll be a great team once again.
Giannis is now in Miami, the Pistons will still be a strong team again along with the Cavaliers. And if the trade goes through and Kawhi ends up in Toronto, the East is loaded!”
Johnson wrote.
“In the West, we know the Spurs and the Thunder are favored and the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Lakers and Rockets are all strong teams behind them. The Rockets will be definitely be dangerous because Fred VanVleet will be back after missing last season with an injury.”
Houston is coming off a season that fell short of expectations. Despite championship hopes, the Rockets were bounced in the first round after injuries helped derail the push. They finished 52-30, good for the fifth seed in the Western Conference, before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Durant, in his first season with Houston and the 19th year of his NBA career, was productive throughout the year. He played 78 games and averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
The Rockets have also made moves this offseason, adding Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic in free agency as they try to strengthen a roster that already has title-level ambitions. Johnson’s read is clear: Houston may not be the favorite, but it’s squarely in the mix.
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