After an astronomical offseason trade that brought a premier player to the Houston Rockets, their first round elimination left many scrambling for answers about how they squandered the opportunity to make a deep playoff run.
Kevin Durant only being available for one game against the Los Angeles Lakers is impossible to overlook. The 37-year-old was one of 13 players to average 26+ points per game in the 2025-26 regular season. Furthermore, the spotlight on Alperen Sengun‘s flaws and fit with Rockets head coach Ime Udoka continued to grow, matching the Turkish big man’s increasing fame. While one of the more popular players in the league, Amen Thompson‘s rough edges even led to questions about his future with the franchise. This despite the fact that he (and Sengun) stuffed the stat sheet against the Lakers while playing a leading role.
Ultimately, the Rockets’ have a choice to make. Do they continue to put their faith in the core of Durant, Sengun, Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Reed Sheppard, and Tari Eason? Do they attempt to speed up the process, pairing Durant with a perennial All-Star like Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo? Or, do they move on from Durant, either as part of the Greek Freak sweepstakes or to target another top-tier talent, like Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown or Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell?
2026 NBA Draft
The 2026 NBA Draft is likely going to end without a big boom for the Rockets.
However, with the 39th overall pick, they’ll still be expected to select a rotation-level prospect. Adding a wing with the ability to create off points for themselves would be the simplest way to achieve this goal. Though Eason was considered a potential sixth man entering the season, the 2026 NBA Playoffs exposed his weaknesses as a shot-creator.
With that in mind, Baylor freshman wing Tounde Yessoufou is a prospect who could realistically slide into the second-round due to a lack of pre-draft hype. Yessoufou’s athleticism and ability to put the ball in the basket when he’s on or off-ball is what Houston’s looking for. While not a lockdown defender, his impact on that end should be appreciated by Udoka. Yessoufou’s 3-ball in particular still needs work but the Rockets should have enough efficient floor-spacers in their perimeter rotation to balance out his weaknesses.
In a similar vein, Houston could find themselves in a position to draft Arkansas freshman wing Meleek Thomas. He entered the 2025-26 season as a lottery prospect but he was ranked as the 37th-best prospect by The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie in mid-January (h/t NBA.com). Though a knockdown 3-point shooter with two-way upside, he’s been overshadowed by teammates Darius Acuff Jr. and Billy Richmond III. Maybe his name just needs a suffix but suffice it to say, he isn’t being heavily discussed publicly.
If the Rockets’ fortunes don’t see them catching a falling star, Ryan Conwell is almost certainly going to be available at pick No. 39. After transferring to Louisville for his senior season, the Indiana native managed to score over 16.5 points per game for the third straight season (a career-high 18.8 points per game, in fact). Yet, Conwell disappointed by shooting just 40.8% from the field and 34.5% from 3, his inefficiency uncharacteristic but still significant.
Last but not least, there’s Texas junior wing Dailyn Swain, who seemingly has a wide draft range. Though a quick-twitch athlete with real feel at 6-foot-7, his outside shooting has and will make prospective suitors hesitant. Even Houston could be among that group, especially with a frontcourt that isn’t known for their floor-spacing.
Free Agency
In free agency, the Rockets will have four players (sans two-way signings) become unrestricted free agents: Josh Okogie, Aaron Holiday, Jae’Sean Tate, and Jeff Green.
All of these players are replacement-level players and if Houston can upgrade without needing to scrounge in their pockets, they should. However, the importance of chemistry, continuity and veteran leadership can’t be denied. Frankly, the Rockets just saw that with the absence of not just VanVleet but Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Letting Tate (who’s been with Houston since 2020-21) and ‘Uncle Jeff’ walk in free agency could have a negative if intangible impact on the roster.
The Rockets would also be wise to bring back Eason, who’ll be a restricted free agent. Based on his up-and-down season, the ball should be back in Houston’s court during negotiations. To that point, Eason turned down their extension offer prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. All the same, there’s no need to low-ball the 25-year-old. His offense is inconsistent and, so far, he’s earned the injury-prone label but he remains an integral part of their defensive foundation.
From there, Houston can work on solidifying their guard and big man rotation. Armed with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15.5) and bi-annual exception ($5.5), they should be able to sign at least two rotation players. Even if they use their 2026 NBA Draft pick on a wing, it’s still sensible for them to target a veteran one. Keeping that in perspective, Philadelphia 76ers wing Quentin Grimes is a natural target with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE). Able to create for himself and others on the wing, dangerous from beyond the arc and a more-than-capable perimeter defender, the 26-year-old Houston alum would complement the team’s current core well.
In fact, Grimes should be the Rockets’ priority signing. Minnesota Timberwolves playoffs hero Ayo Dosunmu may be proving himself to be on the same level as Grimes, if not higher. Yet, Grimes is more likely to be available when free agency tips-off, due to the Timberwolves having thinner wing depth.
With their bi-annual exception, the Rockets can add a stretch-four to address their frontcourt spacing. Impending free agents such as Dean Wade (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat) could appeal to Houston for that amount. To compare, Wade is the most effective defender, while Fontecchio is the most prolific shooter.
The Rockets could also split the difference, so to speak. Even if they manage to sign Grimes or Dosunmu, they could target Keon Ellis with the bi-annual exception, signing a player like Milwaukee Bucks stretch-forward Taurean Prince to a minimum contract.
At this point, the Rockets would have two open roster spots. Though likely to leave one open, Udoka’s fascination with multi-big lineups increases the chance they’ll use the other on a center. If the goal is to have variance among his bigs, a mobile perimeter shooter with size and length is what they’re missing. The problem is that not many players with those tools would be open to coming into a situation in which they know they’ll be third-strong. As a result, Houston could have to sign an undrafted free agent, potentially the likes of Oregon’s Nate Bittle.
Additional Moves
Following those moves, this is how the Rockets’ depth chart could look heading into the 2026-27 season:
Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard
Quentin Grimes, Keon Ellis, Ryan Conwell
Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate
Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Taurean Prince
Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Nate Bittle
There’s enough to like about this roster to believe they won’t have to seriously consider another splash trade. Frankly, this route is probably preferable given what they would have to surrender for a player of Antetokounmpo’s or Brown’s caliber. However, if Houston did feel the need to swing a trade for one of those Finals MVPs, should the trade Durant or multiple prized young players?
On the surface, the easy answer is to pair Durant with one of those other elite talents. After all, it’s not ragtag groups of of role players that usually lead teams to rings, it’s bonafide superstars. Yet, when considering the circumstances surrounding Durant, the question takes on a different taste. He allegedly badmouthed teammates on a burner account, he played one unmemorable game in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and he’s only been around for one season. Why not rip off the band-aid and start fresh?
Now, if it’s Mitchell whose name crops up in rumors, that’s a different story. He hasn’t proven he can be the top player on a championship team. He’s also been connected to multiple dramatic shake-ups involving coaches and teammates, meaning he isn’t an ideal presence on a young team. In that scenario, it could be best to offer a package headlined by Sengun or VanVleet to the Cavs.
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