Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Houston Rockets 2026-27 NBA Preseason Preview

The Houston Rockets’ Finals hopes last season seemingly vanished before the first tip-off. After acquiring future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, many viewed Houston as a true contender.

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Alperen Sengun Advised to Make Change by Rockets Assistant Coach

Looking toward his sixth year in the NBA, Alperen Sengun is developing into an elite playmaking center for the Houston Rockets. Last season, Sengun averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists over 72 games.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 29

Fred VanVleet Gives Honest Take on Teaming With Kevin Durant

With the Houston Rockets’ continued development of their strong core of young talent, as the likes of Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 28

3 Updates From NBA Media Day That Could Impact the Rockets

On Monday, the majority of NBA teams held their media days for the 2026-27 season. It is a longstanding tradition for the league’s players to take official photos and answer questions ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Kevin Durant News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 28

Can Kevin Durant Match LeBron James’ Career Longevity?

Nearing two decades in the NBA, Kevin Durant is still considered to be one of the league’s elite scorers. He scored 2,026 total points last season, finishing behind only Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jaylen Brown.

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.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 27

Jabari Smith Jr. Reveals Takeaways From Rockets Teammate Kevin Durant

Since being drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr. has become a key part of the franchise’s core. Last season, Smith averaged 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds over 77 games.

Marcus Smart News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 27

Four-Time All-Star Reacts to Marcus Smart’s ‘Disrespectful’ Comment

Marcus Smart is considered to be one of the Houston Rockets’ biggest acquisitions from this summer. Smart averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game over 62 games last season.

Marcus Smart News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 26

Marcus Smart’s ‘Disrespectful’ Comment Gets Response From Lakers GM

Marcus Smart’s stint with the Los Angeles Lakers ended after just one season. Smart averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game over 62 games.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 26

Rockets Star Kevin Durant’s NBA Career Could Have Started Differently

One of the most famous missteps in NBA Draft history is the Portland Trail Blazers choosing to select Greg Oden over Kevin Durant with the No. 1 pick. Oden’s professional basketball career was ultimately sabotaged by multiple injuries, while the 37-year-old Durant is still an elite scorer for the Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 26

Rockets Star Alperen Sengun Ranked Just Behind Jokic, Wembanyama

While there is buzz that Amen Thompson could be the Houston Rockets’ next franchise star, Alperen Sengun has made a stronger case for carrying the torch.

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.

Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 26

Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Reveals Plan for Starting Point Guard

Continuing to make progress in his recovery from a season-ending ACL injury, Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is gearing up to make his return to the court.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / September 26

Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. Talks Overcoming Young Team Narrative And First-Round Exit Frustrations

The Rockets began their training camp on September 23, following their media day. After the first two days of training, Jabari Smith Jr. spoke to the media scrum at the facility, describing what the first two days of camp had been like and referencing his takeaways from last season.

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Ime Udoka News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 25

Ime Udoka Explains Former Knicks Coach's Visit to Rockets Training Camp

Houston Rockets training camp started earlier this week, giving the Rockets a chance to acclimate before the start of preseason action in early October.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / September 25

Things get interesting when Amen, Ausar Thompson play who’s better?

Twin brothers Ausar and Amen Thompson have been closely linked since being drafted by the Rockets and Pistons in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

Amen Thompson News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 25

Amen Thompson Can Become NBA Superstar By Reaching This Goal

Amen Thompson is set to be a central piece of the Houston Rockets’ long-term plans. Earlier this month, Thompson signed a five-year, $208 million contract extension with the franchise.

NBA News / Yardbarker / September 25

Losing Marcus Smart left a dangerous vulnerability in the Lakers' roster

Following late-season injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers played with an all-new starting five in last season's playoffs.

Odds are against Rockets' optimism about better health

JJ Redick jokes that Lakers’ starting 5 won’t be ‘all white guys’

Tom Thibodeau News / NBA on ClutchPoints / September 24

Tom Thibodeau spotted at Rockets practice, and his skinny jeans need to be seen to be believed

The Houston Rockets are currently gearing up for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, which is slated to get underway in less than a month. The Rockets are hoping that the return of Fred VanVleet will help guide them to a better result than their disappointing first round playoff exit a year ago.

Houston Rockets News / Fadeaway World / September 24

Ime Udoka Reveals How Fred VanVleet’s Return Will Affect Kevin Durant And Alperen Sengun On Offense

The Houston Rockets are shaping up to be an interesting team heading into the 2026-27 season. While the core is largely the same, with Kevin Durant‘s veteran experience supporting the young trio of Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet‘s return should add another dimension to the team’s structure.

Houston Rockets News / Yardbarker / September 24

Odds are against Rockets' optimism about better health

The Houston Rockets are banking on the return of two veterans who missed all or most of last season. They've also added two veterans not known for staying on the court.

Kevin Durant: Not thinking about retirement or final NBA stop

Dorian Finney-Smith left in limbo after second trade of summer

Marcus Smart: Lakers’ Offer In Free Agency Was ‘Disrespectful’

The '5 3-pointer, 5-steal playoff games' quiz

Marcus Smart News / Larry Brown Sports / September 23

Marcus Smart says the Lakers disrespected him

Marcus Smart clearly has no love lost for his former team. The new Houston Rockets guard Smart spoke this week in an interview to Varun Shankar of The Houston Chronicle.

Fred VanVleet News / NBA on ClutchPoints / September 23

First look at Fred VanVleet in Rockets training camp after ACL injury

The Houston Rockets have gotten their training camp underway this week as they prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season. The Rockets will be getting point guard Fred VanVleet back this season after he missed the entire 2025-26 season due to a torn ACL injury suffered just prior to the start of that campaign.

Houston Rockets News / Larry Brown Sports / September 23

Steven Adams sees a bizarre culprit that will affect the NBA

Steven Adams isn’t John Nash, but he just floated a wild game theory – sort of. During the Houston Rockets’ media day on Tuesday, the veteran NBA big man seemingly sent a warning not just to the NBA but also to the NFL about a possible decline in overall performance come November.

Amen Thompson News / Larry Brown Sports / September 23

Amen Thompson reveals first purchase after signing a stunning contract

Amen Thompson is now hundreds of millions richer after landing a contract extension with the Houston Rockets, but you wouldn’t know it from the first item he bought with that money.

Kevin Durant News / Hoops Wire / September 23

Kevin Durant: Not thinking about retirement or final NBA stop

Rockets star Kevin Durant isn’t ready to say Houston will be his final NBA stop. He also doesn’t sound like someone preparing to retire anytime soon. Durant was asked during Houston’s media day whether he has considered finishing his career with the organization.

Dorian Finney-Smith News / Yardbarker / September 22

Dorian Finney-Smith left in limbo after second trade of summer

Last summer, Finney-Smith signed with the Houston Rockets, in part because he wanted to return to Texas. Now he's buried on the Atlanta Hawks depth chart after being traded for the second time this summer.

Hawks, Hornets swap veterans in three-player trade

NBA expansion may be too lucrative for owners to pass up

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