Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rockets Receive Praise for Draft Trade, Bruce Thornton Pick

The Houston Rockets entered this past week's 2026 NBA Draft with two selections -- albeit both in the second round. The Rockets held picks 39 and 53. There were questions regarding whether the Rockets would trade up into the first round, or at least look into it.

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Houston Rockets 2026 NBA Draft Reaction

The Houston Rockets entered the second night of the 2026 NBA Draft without making a selection, but left with a clear victory. Before the second round even

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 26

3 Undrafted Players the Rockets Should Consider Taking a Flyer On

The Houston Rockets originally held two selections, albeit both of which were later round selections. The Rockets packaged both picks (39 and 53) to move up to 31, which they used to select Ohio State four-year guard Bruce Thornton. Houston also landed the 55th pick in the deal and walked away with an additional second-round draft pick in 2029.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 25

Rockets Reportedly Not Interested in Celtics' Jaylen Brown

For months, we've heard about the Houston Rockets being potential X-factors this offseason. Many had the Rockets penciled in as the biggest buyers on the NBA's summer trade market.

Charlotte Hornets News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

How many of the players with the most career triple-doubles for every NBA franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

The '30-point, 10-assist game leaders by team' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 25

No More Big Swings Left For The Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been quoted as believing significantly in the potential of their young players as the team searches for ways to compete in one of the most competitive league landscapes ever.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 most impactful international NBA draft picks of all-time

The NBA is truly a global league. As such, there have been historical impacts left on the game by players of all walks of life. Some of the game's all-time

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 25

Rockets Given Disappointing NBA Draft Grade After Taking Bruce Thornton

Heading into the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets made one of the bigger moves from Wednesday and traded their No. 39 and 53 selections to move up to No.

Bruce Thornton News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 25

Bruce Thornton's Leadership Stands Out From His Time in College

The Houston Rockets were one of the few teams that were watching from the sidelines on day one of the NBA draft. With zero first-round picks for the first time since 2018, the Rockets were focused on day two, as they came in with two second-round picks.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 25

What Rockets Fans Should Know About 2026 Draftee Bruce Thornton

The Houston Rockets will bring in one new face from the 2026 NBA Draft, taking Bruce Thornton with the 31st overall pick, the first of the second round.

Houston Rockets News / NBA on ClutchPoints / June 25

Rockets 2026 NBA Draft grades for every pick

The Houston Rockets entered the 2026 NBA Draft facing a different challenge than they had just a few seasons ago. The rebuilding phase is officially over.

NBA News / The Dream Shake / June 24

Rockets’ second round highlighted by trades, but they should be happy

The Houston Rockets were busy on the phones throughout the second round of the 2026 NBA draft, but they are walking away from the annual event with someone they should be very happy about.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Houston Rockets Trade to No. 31, Draft Bruce Thornton

The Rockets made the biggest move on Day 2 of the NBA Draft, trading multiple second round picks to move up to No. 31 and get their guy. After a season of lackluster point guard play due to injuries and a lack of overall development, Houston was able to grab Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton with the first pick of the second round.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Every NBA team's best-ever second-round draft pick

In the NBA Draft, the first round is where teams look for players who could be stars or at least contribute right away. Then there's the second round, where the stakes are low and not much is expected.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

2 Realistic Options for the Rockets in Round Two of the 2026 NBA Draft

The Houston Rockets will be making a selection tonight in the 2026 NBA Draft. Well, technically two selections. Which will be the Rockets' first time making a draft selection since 2024, when the team selected Reed Sheppard third overall (by way of the Brooklyn Nets).

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / June 24

2026 NBA Draft Second Round: Rockets Thoughts and Discussion

The 2026 NBA Draft first round is in the books, and well, it was pretty chalky. Nothing crazy, nothing indefensible. Pretty much every player went about where expected.

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The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Most K's through 30 MLB starts' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

2 Shooters the Rockets Could Target in the Second Round Wednesday

Alas, the 2026 NBA Draft is underway. The first round is already in the books and the second round kicks off on Tuesday. The Houston Rockets didn't have any first round picks but hold two picks in the second round, at 39 and 53.

Dorian Finney-Smith News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Rockets' Dorian Finney-Smith Reportedly Drawing Interest Around the League

Houston Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone has developed a pretty good track record in his six years as Houston's front office executive. Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Stone finished seventh in the league's annual Executive of the Year award.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Rockets' Ben Sullivan Should be Happy Blazers Passed on him for Coaching Post

The Houston Rockets' coaching staff has remained mostly intact ever since Ime Udoka arrived in 2023. Tiago Splitter is essentially the lone exception, of course.

Tari Eason News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 23

Rockets Don't Appear to be Close to a Deal with Tari Eason

Last offseason, the Houston Rockets and fourth-year forward Tari Eason were unable to come to terms on a long-term contract. The Rockets, of course, have made it a routine to dish out extensions to their young prospects.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Wire / June 22

Rockets reportedly willing to entertain trade talks across roster

The Rockets may not be blowing things up. But they also don’t sound like a team that’s interested in standing still. According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, Houston has become more open to trade discussions after taking a hard look at where it stands compared to the NBA’s elite teams.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / June 22

Rockets Reportedly Open To Discussing Nearly Entire Roster

Although Rockets general manager Rafael Stone suggested after the team was eliminated from the playoffs that he was happy with the roster he assembled last season, injuries notwithstanding, evidently that stance changed to some degree after watching the Western Conference and NBA Finals, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.

Houston Rockets News / HITC / June 22

Shams Charania says how Giannis trade could rival complicated Kevin Durant move to Rockets

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s drawn-out future could be settled within hours — and the resolution may not be as simple as it first looks. The trade saga has dragged on for more than a year, with a long list of suitors circling the Milwaukee Bucks star.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / June 21

Under-The-Radar Players The Rockets Could Acquire In 2026-27

The Houston Rockets have made it clear they are operating in win-now mode. After acquiring Kevin Durant last season and pairing him with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and a talented young core under contract, Houston enters the 2026-27 season with legitimate championship aspirations after a disappointing first-round exit.

Houston Rockets News / HITC / June 19

Houston Rockets take aim at BBC’s World Cup coverage as Houston landscape goes viral

The Houston Rockets have mocked the BBC for an embarrassing mistake during their World Cup 2026 coverage. The BBC have broadcast the United States’ second World Cup match against Australia on Friday.

Tari Eason News / NBA on ClutchPoints / June 18

Rockets rumors: Houston free agent gets $75 million prediction

The Houston Rockets have another long-term decision to make in the offseason in addition to Fred VanVleet’s future, as Tari Eason entered restricted free agency on June 30.

Rick Adelman News / The Lead / June 16

Rick Adelman Had a Remarkable Run With the Rockets

Rick Adelman passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 79. No cause of death was publicly released. Within hours, tributes came pouring in from everywhere — the responses said a lot about the man, and even more about what he meant to the players who played for him.

Houston Rockets News / HITC / June 13

Kyrie Irving to Houston Rockets? The explosive truth behind the endless rumours

The real intrigue around the Kyrie Irving rumours isn’t about him as much as it is about which team’s name has popped up – the Houston Rockets. It’s a notable shift for a team that spent years stockpiling draft picks, developing young players and preaching patience.