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.

The Rockets hope the return of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, both who suffered season-ending injuries in 2025-26, can help their young team get past the first round of the playoffs. Given the spotty health record of their vets, they'll need the young guys to take another step forward if they're truly going to contend for a title.

Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams have tough recovery for Houston Rockets

The timing of VanVleet's injury was unfortunate last season. He tore his ACL just before training camp and has only started scrimmaging in the last few weeks. Adams had surgery for a severe ankle sprain in January and reportedly isn't yet back to an NBA level.

VanVleet's ball handling and outside shooting will be invaluable to the Rockets, as long as the 32-year-old isn't too hampered by his bad knee. The same goes for Adams and offensive rebounding, as the 33-year-old has missed 60 percent of his team's games the last four seasons.

There are similar concerns with free-agent additions Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Smart is a 12-year veteran who played just 20, 34 and 62 games the last three seasons. The 34-year-old Bogdanovic has dealt with serious injuries to his knee, quadriceps and hamstring, missing 59 games last season.

There's also Kevin Durant, who was almost an iron man last season, playing in 78 games before suffering two injuries that limited him to a single playoff appearance. He's resisting the team's plans to put him on a minutes restriction, even though he'll turn 38 before the season.

Houston Rockets young players have been durable

The sketchy medical history of the veterans means the Rockets will likely go as far as their talented young players can take them. Those players have been quite durable, with Reed Sheppard playing all 82 games, Amen Thompson suiting up for 79, Jabari Smith, Jr. for 77 and All-
Star Alperen Sengun playing 72 games.

If the players can continue to improve, particularly Sengun and the newly-extended Thompson, then the team can rely on the veterans as a bonus while healthy. Smart and VanVleet provide insurance for one another and Durant will likely accept averaging less than 36 minutes.

Adams is a bigger concern. He's truly a game-changing player with his offensive rebounding and intense screen-setting. Smith is undersized as a center, and veteran Clint Capela looks washed up, nearly unplayable in the team's first-round loss.

The Rockets have built in a lot of redundancy at guard and at the wings, but they have no way to cover another serious injury to Adams, barring a trade. Houston should be better insulated against health issues than last season. Still, the team's most important position might end up being team trainer.