Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

The Houston Rockets’ Upcoming Contract Qualifying Offer Decisions

With the New York Knicks winning the NBA Title a couple of weeks ago over the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA draft concluding last week, all 30 NBA teams now turn their attention to free agency, salary negotiation, and possible trades.

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The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Did the Rockets Make a Reach for Bruce Thornton in the NBA Draft?

The Houston Rockets came into the 2026 NBA Draft with two second round picks and a chance to improve on their areas of weakness from the previous year.

Houston Rockets News / The Lead / June 26

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

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 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 / 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

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.

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.

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 / 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.

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).

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.

Tari Eason News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Rockets' Second-Round NBA Draft Picks Could Shape Their Offseason Plans

The second round of the 2026 NBA Draft is set to take place tonight, which means the Houston Rockets will be on the clock for the first time in this cycle.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Rockets Big Board: Top Draft Options at No. 53

Today is officially the NBA Draft day for the Houston Rockets. With no first round picks this year, the Rockets were not a factor in day one of the draft on Tuesday night.

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

The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

The Rockets Head Coach Has The Most To Prove In Texas

The Houston Rockets once had the team with the highest upside in the state. The Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs spent several seasons near the bottom of the league, an experience the Dallas Mavericks are now feeling after Luka Doncic's departure.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Two First-Round NBA Draft Picks the Rockets May Regret Not Trading For

The Houston Rockets didn't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which meant they were among the few teams that watched all 30 prospects be selected by other teams.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

2 Under the Radar Defensive Specialists for the Rockets in the Second Round

The Houston Rockets will be making two selections tonight in Day 2 of the 2026 NBA Draft, as they hold two second round draft picks - picks 39 and 53. The team has an abundance of needs, especially on the back end of the roster.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / June 24

Picks Who Dropped Out of the First Round That the Rockets Could Land on Day 2

The Houston Rockets were one of the few teams that did not have a first-round pick this season. With the 2026 NBA draft kicking off Tuesday evening, the Rockets were bystanders as other top Western Conference teams added to their already deep rosters.

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 / 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.

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.