Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Grading the Houston Rockets’ Projected Starters for Next Season

With training camp on the horizon, it is an opportune time to assess the Houston Rockets’ potential heading into the 2026-2027 season. Coming off another 50+ win year, there are high expectations for the franchise within the Western Conference title picture.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

ESPN ranks Rockets for the future

Yes, it’s the last of the NBA doldrums before Houston Rockets season kicks off. They begin training camp on September 23 — six days away — because they are one of the teams playing international games in the preseason.

Kevin Durant News / Fadeaway World / September 17

Thunder Fan Claims Kevin Durant Cursed When Asked To Help With Oklahoma Kids’ Fundraiser

Kevin Durant is infamously accused of having a social media personality that is starkly different from what one would expect from a professional basketball player.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 16

Former NBA Veteran Starts Online Argument About Kevin Durant

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant experienced significant success after joining the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The Warriors went on to win two consecutive NBA titles, with Durant being named the NBA Finals MVP for both series.

Amen Thompson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most points in a game by NBA team' quiz

How many of the players to score the most points in one game for each NBA team in the 2025-26 season can you name in five minutes?

The '2025-26 NBA double-double leaders' quiz

The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz

The 'Most 30-point NBA games at 35+' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 16

Who Should the Houston Rockets Protect in NBA Expansion Draft?

This week, NBA commissioner Adam Silver provided an update on ongoing discussions about the league’s potential expansion for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest NBA Finals performances of all-time

The regular season is important, but NBA legends are made in the playoffs. More specifically, it's the Finals where the all-time greats have built their otherworldly reputations.

Kevin Durant News / EssentiallySports / September 16

Iman Shumpert Labels Kevin Durant ‘Petty’ for Response to His Brutal Accusation: 'I Missed Out On Two Rings'

The Warriors and Cavaliers built one of the defining rivalries, meeting in four straight Finals from 2015 through 2018. Even years later, that rivalry still finds a way to resurface.

Amen Thompson News / The Dream Shake / September 16

Is Rockets front office too high on Amen Thompson?

I want the answer to be no. Full transparency: Thompson is my favorite player in the NBA. I’ve not kept that a secret. Yet, as a writer, I am tethered to reality.

Kevin Durant News / Fadeaway World / September 16

Kevin Durant Fires Back After Iman Shumpert Calls Out Warriors Move, Then Deletes Comment

Iman Shumpert called out Kevin Durant after receiving a new deal to appear on the ‘Gil’s Arena’ show for the 2026-27 season. In just his second episode, the former NBA champion blamed Durant for costing him two NBA rings when he joined the Warriors in free agency in 2016.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / September 15

Important Rockets dates for the 2026-2027 season

With preseason just around the corner and just over a month till the start of the regular season, I figured now is a great time to go over some important dates for the upcoming season, so get your calendars ready!

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 14

Kevin Durant Ranked Top 5 Small Forward in NBA

Despite a reported lack of trade interest from NBA front offices, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant remains one of the most impactful players in the league.

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.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / September 13

Kevin Durant Reiterates Desire To Play For Team USA In 2028

Kevin Durant has won four Olympic gold medals and is Team USA’s all-time leading scorer. The Rockets’ star will be nearing 40 years old when the 2028 Olympics come around again, but despite his age and significant previous accomplishments, he’s not ready to hang up the international towel just yet.

Marcus Smart News / NBA on ClutchPoints / September 13

Rockets rumors: Why Marcus Smart decided it was time to move on from Lakers

Marcus Smart’s one season in Los Angeles ended quietly this offseason, and the reasoning behind it is only now coming into focus. Appearing on Third Apron, Lakers insider Jovan Buha addressed the veteran guard’s departure to the Houston Rockets and pointed to Smart’s own readiness for a change.

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

The '10K-yard, 80-TD NFL receivers' quiz

The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Most yards through two NFL seasons' quiz

The 'Women's U.S. Open champions' quiz

Yao Ming News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 13

Tracy McGrady Shares Houston Rockets Playoff Story About Yao Ming

During the mid-2000s, the Houston Rockets’ roster featured the likes of Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and Dikembe Mutombo. While Mutombo was in the later stages of his NBA career, the 8-time All-Star provided veteran leadership as a backup center.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Rumors / September 13

Rockets Notes: VanVleet, Thompson, Engelland, More

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka recently gave an encouraging health update on Fred VanVleet, who’s in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL he suffered a year ago, according to Brian Barefield of Big Sarge Media (Twitter video link).

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 13

NBA Executive Sets Kevin Durant's Trade Price

While the Houston Rockets have had a relatively quiet offseason, there is ongoing speculation that Kevin Durant could be moved within the upcoming season.

Amen Thompson News / Fadeaway World / September 12

Houston Rockets Mark Amen Thompson As Untradeable: Believe He’s Top 10 Most Valuable Player

Last season ended in disappointment for the Houston Rockets, who suffered a first-round loss at the hands of a short-handed Los Angeles Lakers squad. After picking up Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic, they are feeling good about their chances for success going forward, but it’s becoming increasingly clear who they value the most on that team.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 12

Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Provides Update on Fred VanVleet Injury

Prior to the 2025-2026 season, Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Nearly one year later, VanVleet is gearing up for a return to Houston’s lineup.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / September 12

NBA Notes: Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Nuggets, Nikola Jokic, Magic

Alperen Sengun wanted Rockets general manager Rafael Stone to communicate more. Stone responded by spending nearly two weeks with him in Türkiye. As Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle relayed, Sengun challenged Stone during their postseason conversations.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 12

Kevin Durant Shares Advice for Rising Star Athletes

Kevin Durant has built a name for himself outside of his professional basketball career. His investment firm Thirty Five Ventures has accumulated a portfolio of startup investments, brand deals, a media network, and more.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / September 12

Rockets GM Rafael Stone Talks Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanovic, And Expectations For Young Players

The Houston Rockets’ general manager, Rafael Stone, was part of the team contingent that visited the Fire Station 08 Downtown in Houston as part of their homage to the firefighters who gave up their lives on September 11, 2001.

Fred VanVleet News / Hoops Wire / September 10

Trade idea sends Rockets’ Fred VanVleet to Hawks in three-team deal

Just to be clear, Fred VanVleet has not been traded to the Hawks. Nobody is reporting that a trade is close. This is September, actual NBA business has slowed down and proposed trades are one of the ways we entertain ourselves until training camp.

Tari Eason News / EssentiallySports / September 9

NBA Star Tari Eason Calls Out ‘Love Island’ Winner Trinity Tatum’s Take on Success: 'Social Media Got Everyone Checking the Price'

Instead of the upcoming training camp and the new NBA season, it’s the relentless pressure from social media that’s left Tari Eason frustrated. He just saw a prime example of the false illusion of achievement and had to say something.

Houston Rockets News / Hoops Wire / September 8

Mike D’Antoni likes what Rockets have built, hasn’t completely closed door on coaching

Mike D’Antoni has been away from NBA head coaching for a while now. He still sounds like a coach. In an exclusive interview with Eric Jay Santos of NBA On SI, D’Antoni praised the current Rockets roster and explained why he believes the talent would be fun to work with.

Amen Thompson News / Yardbarker / September 3

Rockets secured a stunning bargain with Amen Thompson deal

The most impressive part about this new deal is the fact that the franchise will get to savor their young star for the foreseeable future without having to pay the usual premium which other players of his caliber demand nowadays.

Rockets, Thompson reach five-year, $208M extension

Jalen Brunson issues strong warning to former Knicks teammate

One new potential suitor has emerged for Jalen Duren

Klay Thompson wants to break a Heat record

Hawks, Skyhawks announce staffing changes

Houston Rockets News / Larry Brown Sports / September 3

Amen Thompson lands stunning new contract with the Rockets

Amen Thompson will be with the Houston Rockets for more years to come. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday that Thompson and the Rockets have agreed to a new multi-year deal.