With training camp approaching in the next few weeks, the Houston Rockets are getting close to a real look at where things stand for 2026-2027. The roster may still shift a little, but the shape of the backcourt is already pretty clear.
The biggest headline in the group is Fred VanVleet, who is projected to slide back into the starting lineup after a season-ending ACL tear. The 32-year-old posted 14.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists across 60 games in the 2024-2025 season. There are obvious questions about how often he’ll be available and whether his scoring can hold up, but Houston is counting on his veteran presence to steady a young core.
The offseason’s most notable addition is Marcus Smart, and the Rockets are expected to lean on him heavily in a different way. The three-time All-Defensive selection put up 9.3 points and 3.0 assists in 62 games last season. With VanVleet back at No. 1 and Amen Thompson expected to start at shooting guard, Smart projects as a bench weapon, especially when Houston wants a disruptive defender on the floor.
That defensive value should keep Smart involved, even if his offense limits how far his role can stretch. Still, his two-year, $12 million deal points to a player who will be part of the rotation from the jump.
Behind him, the backup point guard minutes are expected to be shared, with Reed Sheppard and Thompson also factoring in. Sheppard is not projected as a starter, which makes the bench the cleaner fit for him, though Thompson’s usage means he’ll handle the ball plenty as well.
How much run Sheppard gets is one of the more interesting questions for Ime Udoka. He averaged 13.5 points on 43% field-goal shooting over 82 games last season and finished in the top 10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting, so there’s a real case for a larger role.
The final name in the mix is Tyrese Thornton, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over 34 games in his senior season at Ohio State. His minutes are expected to be limited at first, but the door is open if he earns more opportunity.
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For Durant, the appeal goes beyond passing time between games or seasons. He described gaming as a regular part of his routine with a large circle he has kept up with for years, and the conversation also hinted at how he sees life after playing, with an eye toward taking on a leadership role with USA Basketball. It is another reminder that even for a player with a massive public profile, some of the most important relationships can start in the most ordinary places. [Read more 🡒]
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Oladipo said his mother had dreamed about that meeting years before his draft arrived, and the coincidence gave the moment an almost mythical feel. The signed basketball became more than just a keepsake, a reminder of how deeply Olajuwons legacy still resonates with players who came after him. Even now, with Oladipo having played for multiple NBA teams and most recently in the G-League while remaining a free agent, the story lands as a small but vivid link between one Rockets legend and a guard whose career has already taken plenty of turns. [Read more 🡒]