Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Alperen Sengun named the key to unlocking Rockets’ ceiling

The Houston Rockets have made the NBA Playoffs in each of the last two seasons, but they barely have anything to show for those two trips to the postseason, having been eliminated twice in the first round during that stretch.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

The Houston Rockets will thrive if this happens

Jabari Smith Jr. was in the running to be the No. 1 pick in 2022. As the college basketball season unfolded, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Smith, having led Auburn to its first No.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / July 21

Rockets labeled NBA title contender despite playoff flop, quiet offseason amid chaos

The Houston Rockets enter the 2026–27 season with questions surrounding their championship outlook, but The Ringer’s Michael Pina believes they remain one of the NBA’s legitimate title contenders despite a disappointing playoff exit and a relatively quiet offseason.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 20

Ex-Rockets Guard Victor Oladipo Reveals Why He Elected To Cut The Middleman Out

Last week, former two-time All-Star and ex-Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo held a private workout in Las Vegas in front of NBA Scouts, general managers, and executives around the league.

Zaccharie Risacher News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Youngest 35-point NBA games' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 35 points in a game before turning 20 years old can you name in five minutes?

The 'Most NBA 3-pointers all-time' quiz

The 'Season triple-double leaders by team' quiz

The '2025 NBA double-double leader by team' quiz

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / July 18

Rockets Face Grizzlies In VSL26 Semi-Finals

5:30pm CT July 18th 2026 Amazon Prime Video That’s right, it’s the Vegas Summer League Semi Final! The Rockets made it! The 3-1 Rockets will take on the 3-1 Memphis Gristlies for the right to play the winner of Los Angeles Lakers Vs Golden State Warriors in the VEGAS SUMMER LEAGUE 2026 GRANDE FINAL!

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 biggest NBA clutch performers who weren't stars

At the end of the game or in other big moments, it's usually the team's stars who have the ball. Sometimes, though, it's the role players who get the chance to shine and deliver.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / July 18

Three Rockets on the worst-layup-percentage list

A curious statistic is making its way across social media that connects four Houston Rockets players in a not-so-good way. Here’s a list of the worst layup FG% in the NBA over the last 5 seasons (min.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Wire / July 17

NBA Notes: Rockets, Fred VanVleet, Hawks, Peyton Watson, Thunder

Rockets guard Fred VanVleet believes he’s on track to be back on the court this fall. Speaking with Erik Horne of Andscape, VanVleet said he expects to be available for Houston’s preseason schedule as he continues recovering from the torn ACL and meniscus that sidelined him throughout the 2025-26 season.

Fred VanVleet News / Hoops Rumors / July 17

Fred VanVleet Talks ACL Recovery, Optimism For 2026/27

Speaking to Erik Horne of Andscape last week in Las Vegas, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet said his recovery from a torn right ACL and meniscus has “tested”

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 16

GM Stone and Coach Udoka will end up on hot seat if Houston Rockets struggle

Houston GM Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka shouldn’t feature prominently in any hot seat rankings entering 2026-27, but can’t get too comfortable. Unless the Rockets trade Kevin Durant, they’re running it back without many major shakeups and letting the long-term vision continue to play out.

Bruce Thornton News / The Lead / July 16

Rockets’ Bruce Thornton Is Checking Every Box at NBA Summer League

The Rockets didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 Draft. Instead, they traded up as far as they could into the second round to draft Bruce Thornton at pick No.

Alperen Sengun News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 16

Is Alperen Sengun a Championship-Level Core Player?

The Houston Rockets have done a really good job rebuilding their franchise, and they have one of the best young cores in the league. The Rockets' young core is centered around 23-year-old Alperen Sengun.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

NBA News / HITC / July 16

Kevin Durant weighs in on where LeBron James should go next amid 2026 NBA free agency

Kevin Durant and LeBron James have shared the NBA stage for the last 20 years, and now Durant is sharing where he wants to see the 41-year-old legend go next.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / July 15

Rockets’ Kevin Durant blasts ‘lame’ Colin Cowherd, wants Nick Wright banished from NBA takes

Houston Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant put Fox Sports 1’s NBA analysts Colin Cowherd and Nick Wright on blast for their recent takes. This week, Durant attended the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, but also had time to post his feelings about Cowherd and Wright on social media.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Youngest 4K-yard NFL passers' quiz

The '2K-yard NFL rushers' quiz

The 'FIFA World Cup champions' quiz

The 'Rushing TD leaders by NFL team' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / July 14

Kevin Durant Slams Colin Cowherd And Nick Wright On Social Media With A Cold Message

Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets’ veteran superstar, clearly loves indulging in basketball conversations on social media. It is that reputation that even made the burner account controversy seem closer to the truth than just a fake rumor.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / July 14

Kevin Durant gives Philadelphia fans ultimate compliment in MLB All-Star Game

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant was at the ballpark on Wednesday to catch the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Durant is an avid follower of baseball, and he did not pass up the chance to watch the midseason classic in person.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / July 14

Rockets’ Kevin Durant gets all the attention at MLB All-Star Game with gesture

There were plenty of familiar faces in the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and among them was Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant.

Fred VanVleet News / NBA on ClutchPoints / July 12

Fred VanVleet’s injury update at Summer League will leave Rockets fans excited

The Houston Rockets are eyeing an even bigger leap after a breakthrough 2025-26 campaign. The latest update from injured playmaker Fred VanVleet also suggests one of their most important pieces could be back pretty soon.

Houston Rockets News / NBA Draft on SI / July 11

Rockets May Have Point Guard Solution in Second-Round NBA Draft Pick

Yesterday's slate of NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas provided a lot of interesting and unexpected performances. Outside of the stars (lottery picks), plenty of sleepers, both drafted and undrafted, impressed many with significant production.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / July 10

6 Free Agents The Houston Rockets Should Target To Improve Their Roster

The Houston Rockets have already done most of their expected moves this offseason. Kevin Durant is still in town, Tari Eason was re-signed on a team-friendly deal, Marcus Smart brings another defensive-minded veteran to Ime Udoka‘s rotation, and Bogdan Bogdanovic gives the second unit some shooting.

Houston Rockets News / Yardbarker / July 8

Could Kevin Durant be the next NBA superstar to be on the move?

Durant's first season in Houston was a disappointment. Could he be the next NBA superstar to be on the move?

Larry Nance Jr. inks deal with Pacers

Celtics' stance on Jayson Tatum trade revealed amid inquiries

Tatum speaks on Jaylen Brown trade after unflattering report emerges

Lakers may have to get creative to land Jonathan Kuminga

Full details emerge on a six-team NBA blockbuster trade

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / July 7

Rockets Sign Bruce Thornton To Four-Year Contract

Bruce Thornton, the first player selected in the second round of this year’s draft, has officially signed his first NBA contract, the Rockets announced today in a press release.

Josh Okogie News / Hoops Rumors / July 3

Josh Okogie To Sign Two-Year Deal With Jazz

Free agent wing Josh Okogie is signing a two-year, $12MM contract with the Jazz, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Okogie’s new deal features a team option for 2027/28, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).