Marcus Smart didn’t make much mystery out of why he chose Houston. When the Rockets opened media availability for the first time this season on Tuesday, the new guard pointed straight to fit, familiarity, and the chance to be part of a group he believes is moving in the right direction.
Smart, who grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, said returning to his home state mattered, but it wasn’t the only piece of the puzzle. He also leaned on his connection with Ime Udoka and Houston’s coaching staff, along with what he sees in the roster around him.
“For me, it was about what's the best fit for me. What team can I go to that I know will help benefit not only me, but that I can benefit as well?
Some of those key factors you mentioned, me being a Texas native, my familiarity with Ime [Udoka], and some of this coaching staff. I know what Ime [Udoka] brings mentality-wise, I know what he expects, and we've meshed together in the past.
So, for me, that was a big factor,” said Smart.
He also highlighted the return of Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet, plus the development of Houston’s younger players as another reason the move appealed to him.
“On top of that, this crew, this group we have here, like we said, bringing back guys like [Steven] Adam[S] and Fred [VanVlett]. And not only that, being able to see the growth and the journey we're on with these younger guys, understanding that with another year under their belt, that's just more experience and more IQ for them, which only helps us as a whole."
Smart was then asked what his role would look like in Houston, and he made it clear he’s not walking in with a preset label.
“Whatever it needs to be. Right?
"I'm coming into a team that has been through the battles together. Have to earn their trust; obviously it's different.
We have seen the guy, played against the guy, have him on your team to understand what everyone is talking about, and understand you are playing against him. To have him on the side, but my role is to come in and do what I can to help everybody be in the right spots help this team win.”
Smart’s path to this point started in Texas long before Houston came calling. He played at Edward S.
Marcus High School, where he helped post a 115-6 record and win back-to-back Class 5A state titles under Danny Henderson. From there, he rose into national prominence as a five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American before becoming a star at Oklahoma State University.
The Rockets open preseason on Oct 9th against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas in Cotai, Macao at The Venetian Arena.
In Other News...
Marcus Smart Sent A Clear Message After Joining The Rockets
Marcus Smart arrived in Houston with plenty to say about how he got here, and the message was pointed. During a media day interview, the veteran guard said the Lakers contract offer felt disrespectful, a remark that helps explain why he ultimately landed with the Rockets on a two-year, $12.4 million deal that includes a player option for the second season. For a team trying to sharpen its edge and deepen its backcourt, Smarts tone was every bit as notable as the contract itself.
The Rockets are also juggling bigger-picture questions beyond Smarts arrival, with Kevin Durant declining to get into his future and Fred VanVleet expected back after missing all of last season with an ACL tear. That matters for Houston because VanVleets return should lighten the playmaking load and give the offense another steadying influence, leaving Smart to fit into a guard rotation that suddenly has a lot more intrigue than it did a few months ago. [Read more 🡒]
Fred VanVleets Return Could Change Everything For Houstons Offense
Fred VanVleet spent the entire 2025-26 season on the sideline after tearing his ACL and meniscus, but Houston is finally getting him back in the mix. The guard was medically cleared for the new season and took part in the Rockets training camp as the team starts sorting out what its offense can look like with a veteran organizer back on the floor.
His return matters because Houston has missed the kind of steady hand VanVleet provides in pressure moments, from ball handling to late-game execution. He is also expected to be part of the preseason opener, a useful first checkpoint for a team that wants more structure and leadership around its young core after last years long wait. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Rookie Already Sees What Makes Kevin Durant So Different
Bruce Thornton got his first real look at what life looks like when Kevin Durant is on his side, and the Rockets rookie came away talking about more than just scoring. At media day, Thornton pointed to Durants shooting and leadership as the kind of traits that separate a superstar from everyone else, a useful lesson for a first-year guard trying to carve out a place on a deep Houston roster.
Thornton, taken 31st overall in 2026, put together a strong Summer League and should be in the mix for backcourt minutes, even if the path to playing time is crowded. For the Rockets, the larger takeaway is simple: a young player still fighting for a role is already taking cues from one of the leagues most proven scorers, which is exactly the sort of backdrop Houston wanted as it heads into the 2026-27 season. [Read more 🡒]