Winning an NBA championship is every team’s ultimate goal. For the Houston Rockets, this past offseason was the first step on their journey to becoming NBA champions.
The Houston Rockets ended last season with a heartbreaking loss in a seven-game series against the Golden State Warriors. However, this offseason has shaped their squad into a title-contending team. From trading for a two-time NBA champion to re-signing crucial players in their playoff run this past season, the Rockets have added every aspect of a championship-winning team.
Ever since losing to the Golden State Warriors on May 4, the Rockets have struggled to find a consistent scorer that can get a bucket in any given possession and a precise shooter who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court. The Rockets’ General Manager, Rafael Stone, has been the foundation of the Rockets’ rebuild since 2020 and has proven to Rockets fans that he deserves to be in this position. Stone has taken the Rockets from a 22-60 record in the 2021-22 NBA season to an astonishing 52-30 record this past season. With the 2025-26 NBA season just around the corner, I’ll be ranking the Houston Rockets’ NBA offseason moves from best to worst.
Kevin Durant traded to the Rockets
The addition of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets is by far one of the best moves that the Rockets have made in history. However, I know that many people may disagree with me and they argue that he is too old and can’t play like he used to. But that’s not true at all. In fact, Durant has improved his shooting ability and field goal percentage efficiency, even after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. Kevin Durant is still one of the most productive players in the league, averaging 26.6 points per game last season with the Phoenix Suns.
Along with his elite scoring efficiency, Durant also is a seasoned veteran who has substantial playoff experience and can play under immense pressure while scoring in the clutch at will. He has made a total of three game-winning buzzer-beaters in his career. That is beyond impressive for a guy who is going into his 19th NBA season along with suffering the worst sports injuries. As the Rockets have traded away Jalen Green, who averaged an abysmal 13.3 points per game in the Rockets’ last playoff round against the Warriors, Kevin Durant is the Rockets’ new hope with their dreams of winning an NBA championship.
Re-signing Rockets players from last season
The Houston Rockets have re-signed key players from their last playoff run including Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Jae’Sean Tate and Fred VanVleet. Without these players last season, the Rockets wouldn’t have even made the playoffs. Fred VanVleet, a veteran point guard, led the team in assists with 5.6 assists per game and was the key playmaker for the Rockets. VanVleet made great decisions on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court, even helping coach some of the younger guys on the squad last season. Although Fred VanVleet will be out for the entire 2025-26 NBA season due to a torn ACL, this will give an opportunity for the Rockets’ young core, including Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson, to show up and show out their skills.
Jabari Smith Jr. has been a crucial rebounder and defender for the Rockets over their past seasons. Smith Jr. was one of the first players that helped start the rebuilding process when James Harden departed in early 2021. Center Steven Adams was a key reason why the Rockets made the 2025 playoffs in the first place and was a defensive monster, averaging 1.1 blocks in the series against the Warriors. Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate were pushing the team through the bench, lifting the players’ spirits and supporting their teammates through injuries. The Rockets re-signing these players not only revives their playoff hopes but also maintains the team chemistry that has already been established.
The addition of Dorian Finney-Smith
Signing forward Dorian Finney-Smith gives the Rockets a boost to their chances to compete for an NBA title. Finney-Smith is an adept perimeter defender with a 7-foot wingspan who is effective at covering three-point shots. On the offensive side, he is an adequate outside shooter which the Rockets desperately need. On top of being a skillful rim runner and a consistent rim finisher, he also provides great size for the Rockets. Finney-Smith fulfills the Rockets’ gaps which will help them make an even deeper run in the playoffs in this upcoming season.
Clint Capela homecoming
The 6-foot-10-inch center that the Rockets drafted in 2014 is finally returning to Houston after playing five seasons for the Atlanta Hawks. Clint Capela was the heart and soul of the Rockets in the 2018 Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors, as he, James Harden and Chris Paul were able to push the Warriors to a game seven in the series. Despite losing that series, Capela proved his value towards the team through his efficient rebounding and pick-and-roll finishing abilities. He is a dangerous player around the rim and a potent lateral defender with a 7-foot-5-inch wingspan, ready to swat shots away and give his team a defensive boost. Signing Clint Capela has increased the Rockets’ size on the court with other big men such as Steven Adams, Tari Eason and Alperen Şengün. Not only will Capela make an impact on the Rockets’ future playoff runs but also strengthen team chemistry as Rockets fans love and adore Clint Capela on and off the court.
Other additions and departures
Aside from the most notable offseason moves made, the Rockets also made smaller signings that have built the backbone of their team. The Rockets have signed guards Josh Okogie and JD Davison who are athletic beasts. Josh Okogie can hit jumpshots from time to time and is an aggressive player, allowing him to have a decent free throw percentage. Okogie can also grab rebounds consistently, benefiting the Rockets in their ability to control the game’s tempo. Additionally, JD Davison’s athleticism is unmatched. Coming from the University of Alabama, Davison is a rising guard that has a mix of every skill an NBA scout looks for, including passing, playmaking and transition skills. As Fred VanVleet will miss the entirety of the upcoming NBA season, Davison has time to showcase his expertise and develop his skills all around. With his elite speed and ability to dish out flashy passes, he will keep the Rockets in scoring position with his time on the court.
Although the Rockets have added many critical players to their squad, they have also had to say goodbye to some of their most beloved players. This includes Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale, N’Faly Dante and Nate Williams. However, I feel that these departures were favorable for the Rockets in their goal of an NBA championship. Jalen Green, being the team’s leading scorer last season, fell apart under the pressure of the NBA playoffs, unable to fulfill the expectations of coaches and fans. Dillon Brooks was a notable defender and three-point shooter last season for the Rockets; however, he wasn’t able to keep his roster spot because the Rockets needed more of a consistent scorer rather than another elite defender. Cam Whitmore displayed much potential during his seasons with the Rockets but wasn’t able to fit with Head Coach Ime Udoka’s vision for the team, receiving limited playing time. Jock Landale, N’Faly Dante and Nate Williams were solid players coming off of the bench, but were not impactful enough to preserve their spot on the roster.
What to expect this upcoming season
This past offseason, the Rockets have not only addressed roster questions but also increased their chances of competing for an NBA championship. Having an appropriate mix of veteran and young players creates a productive team environment with rookies and sophomores learning from the wisdom of veterans and veterans improving their endurance to keep up with the younger generation of NBA players. This is exactly what the Houston Rockets have built. As a passionate, dedicated and die-hard Rockets fan, I believe the Rockets have assembled a team that’ll be crowned the 2025-26 NBA Champions. Prove me wrong – I bet you can’t. Weaknesses have been strengthened, and strengths have been nourished. Don’t forget to catch a Rockets game at the Toyota Center this season as we witness one of the greatest Rockets seasons in NBA history unfold.
