The Houston Rockets are getting a pretty sturdy vote of confidence heading into next season. ESPN’s projection has them finishing 51-31, which would put them behind only the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference.
That forecast comes with a clear message: the West may still run through Oklahoma City or San Antonio, but Houston is right there in the mix. ESPN wrote, “The West goes through either Oklahoma City or San Antonio, but don't count out Houston. The Rockets expect to take another step in Year 2 with Kevin Durant, bolstered by the return of guard Fred VanVleet and continued improvements from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard.”
The Rockets have been remarkably steady, posting 50-32 records in each of the past two seasons. The problem has come in the postseason, where both trips ended with first-round exits. Even so, the projection keeps Houston in roughly the same neighborhood in the regular-season standings, while still leaving room for a higher ceiling in 2027.
Durant is a huge part of why the ceiling looks so high. In his first season in Houston, he put up 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists across 78 games. He was fourth in the NBA in total points last season and remains one of the league’s elite players, even though he missed most of Houston’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Alperen Sengun is the other centerpiece. He averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 72 games, earning his second straight All-Star nod. His passing is already a major weapon, and he finished only behind Nikola Jokic among centers in assists.
Thompson’s rise could be what pushes this group from good to dangerous. This season may be the one that shows whether he can become Houston’s next superstar, and the early signs are encouraging. VanVleet’s return and a bigger role for Sheppard should only help.
Health will still matter, as it does for every team. But Houston’s backcourt should be in much better shape with VanVleet, Thompson, Sheppard and Marcus Smart all in the mix. Tari Eason is expected to help cover for Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. within the rotation, though the Rockets do not have much extra depth on the wing.
With three players expected to be in serious All-Star consideration, Houston has enough talent to stand apart in a crowded Western Conference race. The Spurs and Thunder may be the favorites, but a 55-27 finish for the Rockets is still within reach.
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Rockets Fans May Hate What An Anthony Davis Pursuit Could Cost
Anthony Davis has already been through the trade carousel more than once in recent years, and for now he is settling in with the Washington Wizards. Washington and Davis have agreed to push extension talks until after the start of the 2026-2027 season, which at least buys both sides time before any long-term decision has to be made.
Still, the league rarely lets a player of Davis stature drift without noise, and Houston keeps surfacing in the speculation. The appeal is obvious from a Rockets perspective, but so is the price of chasing a star with that kind of history and contract uncertainty, which is why any serious pursuit would be about much more than simply adding another name to the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durant Just Sparked A Debate Rockets Fans Will Follow Closely
Kevin Durant has sparked a fresh bit of offseason intrigue for Rockets fans, and this one has nothing to do with the box score. After Durant floated a challenge for NBA content creators to take on professional players in a 5-on-5 game, YouTuber FlightReacts stepped forward quickly and made it clear he wants in, turning a casual idea into something with real online buzz around Houstons star.
FlightReacts said he would organize and livestream the game, said he only needs a couple of days notice, and even gave Durant the freedom to put together his own team. For now, the ball is back in Durants court, and the only thing missing is whether he decides to make the matchup official. [Read more 🡒]
Jabari Smith Jr And Steven Adams Give Houston A Different Kind Of Edge
Houstons offseason has been more about continuity than overhaul, and that decision keeps the spotlight on the different ways Jabari Smith Jr. and Steven Adams can shape the roster. Adams brings the bruising, screen-setting physicality that gives the Rockets a true interior anchor, while Smith offers the kind of length and skill that lets the team slide between power and finesse without changing the whole identity of the lineup.
There is also a practical reason the Rockets seem comfortable leaning on that pair for the long haul. Their contracts give Houston stability at two very different spots on the floor, and last season showed how valuable that mix can be when Adams is available. The bigger question now is not whether the Rockets can use both styles, but how much of their offense and defense can be built around them when the margins get tight. [Read more 🡒]