Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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 / The Dream Shake / July 17

The Rockets can’t be afraid of a “strategic step back”

It’s rumor season. The dog days of summer. Always liked that expression. Life is probably pretty good as a dog. The word takes a different meaning when it comes to the Houston Rockets.

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.

NBA News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Playoff-3's leaders' quiz

How many of the NBA players with the most three-pointers made in the postseason can you name in five minutes?

The 'Oldest 4 3-pointer playoff games' quiz

The 'No. 3-scorer by NBA franchise' quiz

The 'NBA Finals leading scorers' quiz

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 15

Why trading for Kevin Durant was the right move

Kevin Durant's first regular season with the Rockets could not have gone much better on the court. The 37-year-old star, acquired in a trade from Phoenix for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick in the draft, authored one of his best seasons since returning from the Achilles tear that cost him the 2019-20 season.

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 15

Rockets have to trust the process with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson

The Houston Rockets’ core is centered around Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, arguably the two best players they have drafted in this current era of the franchise.

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.

NBA News / Fadeaway World / July 15

Kevin Durant Speaks On Trash-Talking NBA Fans, Jaylen Brown’s Trade, And LeBron James’ Future

Kevin Durant came out to Philadelphia to watch the MLB All-Star game, where he caught up with John Clark of NBCS. They spoke about the fans in Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown’s trade to the 76ers, and LeBron James’ future.

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 / 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 / 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.

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

The 'Rushing TD leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB Home Run Derby winners' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star starting pitchers' quiz

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / July 14

What will Rockets point guard rotation look like next season?

Bruce Thornton has us acting like Bart Simpson at a whiteboard: “I will not overreact to Summer League. I will not overreact to Summer League. I will not…”.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 13

Analyzing Reed Sheppard's Fit With Fred VanVleet in the Rockets' Backcourt

The Houston Rockets should have Fred VanVleet at the beginning of next season after he missed all of the previous season with a torn ACL. This will be a huge lift for the Rockets, a team that desperately needed a floor general last year.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 13

Rockets barely tweaking roster could be Smart move if X-factor pans out

Unless there’s a blockbuster deal in the works, Marcus Smart is going to be the biggest addition the Houston Rockets make this offseason. There’s no shame in running it back if you believe he’s the missing piece and last season’s untimely demise was just the result of injury-related bad luck.

Fred VanVleet News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 13

Fred VanVleet says he's on track for start of 2026-27 season

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone told reporters earlier this week he's optimistic Fred VanVleet will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season after missing all of last season with a knee injury, and the veteran guard echoed that sentiment in an interview on Saturday night.

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.

Fred VanVleet News / Houston Rockets on SI / July 12

How Fred VanVleet's Expected Return to Starting Lineup Impacts Rockets

The Houston Rockets are expected to welcome back one of their most important veterans when the 2026-27 season tips off. According to Houston Chronicle reporter Varun Shankar, "signs point to VanVleet being ready to start for Houston from the jump," This would be a big boost for a young Rockets team who are looking to bounce back after last season.

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.