Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

3-Time All-Star Defends Kevin Durant’s Championship Legacy

The ultimate goal for an NBA player is to win a championship. Although all championships are weighed equally on paper, the public commentary behind each title varies depending on the player’s path to success.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Kevin Durant Jersey Retirement Expected By Two NBA Teams

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant has a strong case as a future Basketball Hall of Famer. His achievements include two NBA championships, 16 All-Star selections, 12 All-NBA Team selections, and an NBA MVP award.

Tari Eason News / The Dream Shake / September 18

Three areas the Rockets must improve this season

The Houston Rockets have turned the page on their 2025-26 campaign after an up-and-down season. The Rockets made the biggest move of the 2025 offseason when they traded for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, hoping he would be the missing piece in their championship hopes.

Bruce Thornton News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 18

NBA Player Comparisons for Rockets Rookie Bruce Thornton

With training camp soon approaching, it’s an opportune time to take a closer look at Houston Rockets rookie Bruce Thornton. The New York Knicks drafted Thornton with the No.

Boston Celtics News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most 200 3-pointer NBA seasons' quiz

In NBA history, 38 players have made 200 or more three-point field goals in more than one season. How many can you name in five minutes?

The 'Most 3's-per-game in NBA history' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

The 'NBA Playoff-3's leaders' quiz

Kevin Durant News / Fadeaway World / September 17

Kevin Durant Among NBA’s Top Trade Candidates This Season

Kevin Durant could once again find himself at the center of major trade rumors this season if the Houston Rockets start poorly and end up failing to emerge as serious championship contenders.

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.

Amen Thompson News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 17

Is Amen Thompson Untouchable on the NBA Trade Market?

While Kevin Durant’s trade value has been debated this summer, teammate Amen Thompson continues to elevate his profile in the NBA. In his third year with the Houston Rockets, Thompson averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals over 79 games.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 17

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.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / September 17

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.

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 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.

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.

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

The 'Most lefty-homers in a season' quiz

The 'Active 150-yard NFL rushers' quiz

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

The '5+ rushing-TD NFL seasons' quiz

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.

Kevin Durant News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 15

What Kevin Durant Needs to Do for Rockets This Season

The Houston Rockets brought Kevin Durant in for one reason. They believe this team can win a championship. So what does Kevin Durant need to do for the Rockets this season?

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / September 15

Jabari Smith Jr. Ranked Top 20 Power Forward in NBA

Jabari Smith Jr. is one of the developing talents that have made a meaningful impact in the Houston Rockets’ starting lineup. Last season, Smith averaged 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds over 77 games.

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.

Kevin Durant 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.

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).

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.

NBA 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.

Houston Rockets 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.

Houston Rockets 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.