A recent wave of retirement chatter around Lonzo Ball didn’t last long. After a podcast clip circulated on Wednesday and sparked speculation that he was done with the NBA, Ball pushed back on X with a blunt message: “I retired? News to me lol cuz I’m still waiting for a call… NBA season long”.
That response matters because, despite everything Ball has been through physically, there’s still a case for a team taking a chance on him. The 28-year-old guard has missed two full seasons, and last year he managed 4.6 points and 3.9 assists in 35 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers before being traded to and waived by the Utah Jazz in February.
The on-court appeal is easy to see, even after the decline that has followed his injury setbacks. Ball’s value now would come in a narrow lane: some playmaking, some defense, and the possibility of useful minutes on a veteran minimum deal. That’s the kind of low-risk swing a team can make if the roster and finances line up.
For the Houston Rockets, the fit is complicated.
Houston has one standard roster spot open for the 2026-2027 season, so in a purely practical sense, adding Ball is possible if both sides are interested. But the Rockets also have a backcourt that is already crowded with options, and that’s where the conversation gets tougher.
Fred VanVleet is expected to reclaim the point guard job, and there’s optimism he’ll be able to take part in preseason action. Behind him, Houston already has defensive specialist Marcus Smart and Sixth Man of the Year contender Reed Sheppard lined up as major pieces of the second unit.
Sheppard has put himself in position for a larger role, but head coach Ime Udoka also has to account for rookie Bruce Thornton. Thornton turned in a strong Summer League run, averaging 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
That’s a lot of guards for a team that would also have to consider the luxury tax if it brought Ball in. With the minutes picture already murky once the roster is whole, Houston has little reason to rush into another guard addition.
For now, the Rockets can afford to wait. If injuries or absences leave them thin later in the season, Ball could become a sensible fallback. Until then, Houston’s focus remains on training camp, not on adding another name to an already crowded backcourt.
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Thompson also framed the conversation around what still has to come next, with his focus fixed on sharpening his defense and chasing a championship in the 2026-27 season. He discussed the disappointment of falling short of All-Defensive recognition and the motivation that comes with being overlooked, while also offering a few personal details about how life has changed since the extension. It all adds up to a reminder that the Rockets are no longer talking about Thompson as a breakthrough story, but as a player expected to meet a much higher standard. [Read more 🡒]
Fred VanVleets Return Could Change Everything For Houstons Offense
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VanVleets presence matters here beyond just another healthy body. Houston has been looking for steadier leadership, cleaner ball-handling and better late-game execution, and those are exactly the areas where he can change the feel of a possession and, by extension, a close game. There is still a short runway before the season starts, but the expectation around camp is that he will be out there when the preseason begins, which gives the Rockets an early chance to see how much smoother things look with him back steering the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Rookie Already Sees What Makes Kevin Durant So Different
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The challenge for Thornton is that Houstons roster strength also makes opportunity hard to come by, especially in the backcourt where minutes will be competitive from the start. Even so, working alongside Durant offers a useful early lesson for a young guard trying to stick in the league, and it gives the Rockets another sign that their newest piece is already paying attention to the standard being set around him. [Read more 🡒]