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Clint Capela Shams: HOU signs Clint Capela to three-year deal
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 1:45 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Rockets signed C Clint Capela to a three-year, $21.5 million contract.
Analysis: After five seasons in Atlanta, Capela returns to the city where he played his first six NBA seasons. A starter in 41 of the 55 games he played last season, the veteran center averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 21.4 minutes. With Alperen Sengun locked in as Houston's starting center and Steven Adams also on the roster, Capela's opportunities with the Rockets may not be enough to make him a factor in fantasy basketball. |
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Dorian Finney-Smith Shams: Rockets sign Finney-Smith for $53 million
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:33 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports F Dorian Finney-Smith has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with the Rockets.
Analysis: Just a day after declining his player option with the Lakers, Finney-Smith has agreed to a deal with the Rockets. Houston is making a major move to improve its wing depth with DFS, who can make threes and play adequate defense. The 32-year-old small forward shot a career-high 41 percent from behind the three-point line last year. Finney-Smith is cashing in with a long-term deal at slightly less per year than his player option with the Lakers. |
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Aaron Holiday Report: HOU signs Aaron Holiday to one-year deal
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:19 PM
Kelly Iko
The Athletic's Kelly Iko reports the Rockets signed G Aaron Holiday to a one-year deal.
Analysis: Like Jeff Green, Holiday will return to the Rockets on the veteran's minimum next season. He appeared in 62 games in 2024-25, averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 three-pointers in 12.8 minutes. With Fred VanVleet expected to return and Amen Thompson capable of taking on primary playmaker responsibilities, Holiday's role will again be limited in 2025-26. |
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Jeff Green Report: HOU signs Jeff Green to one-year contract
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:16 PM
Kelly Iko
The Athletic's Kelly Iko reports the Rockets signed PF/C Jeff Green to a one-year contract.
Analysis: Green will return to Houston for a third season on the veteran's minimum. He appeared in 32 games last season, averaging 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.4 minutes. Green did not impact fantasy basketball last season, and that's unlikely to change in 2025-26. However, he'll continue to provide quality veteran leadership as the Rockets look to contend for a title. |
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Jae'Sean Tate Report: HOU, Jae'Sean Tate agree to one-year pact
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 10:45 AM
Michael Scotto
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports the Rockets re-signed F Jae'Sean Tate to a one-year, $3 million deal.
Analysis: It was reported earlier Monday that the Rockets intended to bring back Tate, Jeff Green, and Aaron Holiday. Contract details regarding the former have now been reported, with Tate expected to earn $3 million. He appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 3.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.3 minutes. With Houston adding Kevin Durant via trade, Tate's playing time is unlikely to change much in 2025-26. For that reason, he won't be worth selecting in fantasy drafts. |
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Jabari Smith Shams: Jabari Smith Jr. agrees to extension
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 2:06 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Jabari Smith Jr. and the Rockets have agreed to a five-year, $122 million extension.
Analysis: While Smith ended this past season as a reserve, he remains a key building block for the Rockets. Sunday's development clearly indicates how the team thinks of the 2022 lottery pick. Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers per game in 2024-25, finishing well outside the top-100 in eight- and nine-cat formats. With Kevin Durant on board, Smith will likely take on a reserve role for the Rockets as they look to challenge Oklahoma City atop the Western Conference. |
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Jae'Sean Tate Rockets to bring back Tate, Holiday, Green
Fri, Jun 27, 2025, 7:55 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Rockets intend to resign free agents Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green.
Analysis: Houston is doing everything in its power to get the band back together alongside new addition Kevin Durant. None of the trio of Tate, Holiday and Green hold much fantasy value, but they'll provide solid minutes off the bench in Houston's deep rotation. |
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Fred VanVleet Shams: VanVleet to sign 2-yr deal with Rockets
Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 6:18 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract with the Rockets.
Analysis: The Rockets will decline VanVleet's $44.9 million team option for the upcoming season to put the new deal in place. He has a player option for the second season of this deal, so he could opt out again next summer. If he accepts the option, he'll be under contract through the 2026-27 season. VanVleet is the best point guard option on a team that is looking to win a championship after trading for Kevin Durant, adding the lethal scorer to the team that finished as the No. 2 seed in the West this past season. |
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Fred VanVleet Report: Rockets to discuss VanVleet extension
Mon, Jun 23, 2025, 11:11 AM
Kelly Iko
The Athletic's Kelly Iko reports the Rockets are likely to decline Fred VanVleet's team option and discuss a long-term extension in the coming days.
Analysis: The Rockets have until Sunday to make a decision on VanVleet's $44.9 million team option. NBA Insider Marc Stein also reported there's a âstrong expectationâ that the Rockets agree to a long-term deal with VanVleet before free agency officially opens up on June 30. VanVleet could be looking at a three-year offer, though it would be for less money annually than his team option. The Rockets will be looking to stay under the first apron of the salary cap this year, but VanVleet is certainly a player they want to keep in the wake of the Kevin Durant trade. |
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Jalen Green Shams: Jalen Green sent to Phoenix in Durant trade
Sun, Jun 22, 2025, 6:54 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Suns acquired Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the tenth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five future second-round picks from the Rockets in exchange for Kevin Durant.
Analysis: With Durant's time in Phoenix expected to end this summer, new Suns general manager Brian Gregory likely hoped to use this as an opportunity to add some young talent to the roster while also restocking the team's draft capital. Sunday's reported trade accomplished that, with Green headed to the Valley of the Sun along with Brooks and a total of six draft picks. While Green did finish this season with averages of 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.9 three-pointers per game, his inefficiency was an issue at times, especially during Houston's first-round playoff loss to Golden State. While one would assume that he'll be a key figure in Phoenix, the Suns still have Bradley Beal on their roster, due mainly to his no-trade clause. Green should play plenty, but sharing the ball with Beal and Devin Booker may result in decreased usage. |
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Kevin Durant Shams: Rockets acquire Kevin Durant from Suns
Sun, Jun 22, 2025, 6:48 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports the Rockets have acquired Kevin Durant from the Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five future second-round picks.
Analysis: Expected to be on the move this summer after the Suns attempted to trade him prior to February's deadline, Durant has been moved to one of his preferred destinations. Houston was on the list of teams reported to be on the future Hall of Fame forward's wish list, with Miami and San Antonio being the others. Ultimately, Durant has been sent to a Rockets squad that finished second in the Western Conference this season, but offensive deficiencies were exposed in the team's first-round loss to the Warriors. While Houston's perimeter defense takes a hit with Brooks being included in the trade, Durant is no slouch on that end of the floor. Also, his offensive skill set is much-needed for Ime Udoka's team. He should remain the top option on his new team and should again be in the conversation to be selected in the first two rounds of most fantasy leagues. |
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Jabari Smith Smith Jr. looks to improve handle this summer
Sun, Jun 15, 2025, 5:18 AM
Ari Alexander
Jabari Smith Jr. said he's focusing on improving his ball-handling and creating his own shot this summer.
Analysis: Smith and the Rockets' season ended disappointingly, as the Warriors bounced them from the first round of the playoffs in seven games. The 2022 lottery pick would eventually be moved to the bench late in the regular season, lowering his playing time. Whether it's as a starter or as a reserve, Smith is working to improve his ability to make plays off the dribble. In addition to the stated desire to improve, he's worth watching this offseason due to the recent Kevin Durant trade rumors. While Houston was adamant that it wanted to keep its young core together during the season, that may change this summer. And Smith's name has been mentioned as one the Suns would likely be focused on if they were to make a deal with the Rockets. |
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Steven Adams Shams: Rockets give Steven Adams three-year deal
Sat, Jun 14, 2025, 8:30 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Steven Adams has agreed to a three-year, $39 contract extension with the Rockets.
Analysis: Rather than test free agency, Adams agreed to three-year extension to stay with the Rockets. Houston already has Alperen Sengun as the starter, but Adams was a key player in Houston's rotation down the stretch of the season as he usurped Jock Landale as the primary backup center. Adams isn't much of a scorer at this point of his career, but averaged 15.8 minutes per game and 6.3 rebounds per game in the second half of the season. |
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Dillon Brooks Dillon Brooks limited to eight points in Game 7
Sun, May 4, 2025, 6:12 PM
Dillon Brooks shot 3-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Warriors, scoring eight points with two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 35 minutes.
Analysis: Brooks crashed back to earth after scoring 24 points in Game 5, totaling 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting. He's been more valuable to the Rockets as a defender and veteran presence, hence his low Yahoo! ADP of 139. At best, Brooks will likely remain a late-round pick in standard leagues, while managers in 10-team formats can afford to leave him alone in drafts next fall. |
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Jalen Green Jalen Green struggles in Game 7 loss to Warriors
Sun, May 4, 2025, 6:10 PM
Bryan Toporek
Jalen Green finished Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Warriors with eight points (3-of-8 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, one assist and one block in 30 minutes.
Analysis: Outside of Game 2, Green's first postseason experience was a disappointment. Remove that 38-point effort, and the Rockets guard totaled 47 points on 16-of-53 shooting in the other six games. Green has long been a better option for points leagues than category leagues, but he has been worthy of a top-100 pick. Whether that remains the case ahead of the 2025-26 season depends on what the Rockets' front office does this offseason. There's a clear need for consistent perimeter shooting, especially with two starters (Green and Fred VanVleet) who shot below 43 percent from the field during the regular season. |
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Fred VanVleet Fred VanVleet hits three three-pointers in Game 7
Sun, May 4, 2025, 6:02 PM
Michael Scotto
Fred VanVleet recorded 17 points (6-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers in 44 minutes in a Game 7 loss to the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: While VanVleet did cool off after an excellent two-game run to help force a Game 7, he remained solid on Sunday. The veteran point guard finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line and was third in scoring behind Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun. VanVleet has a team option for next season, and both sides have expressed interest in continuing the partnership. The question is what the final price tag will be. Despite his poor field goal percentage, VanVleet can be incredibly valuable as a fantasy asset. |
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Alperen Sengun Alperen Sengun posts 21/14/5/1/1 line in Game 7
Sun, May 4, 2025, 5:56 PM
Alperen Sengun accumulated 21 points (9-of-23 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in 40 minutes in a Game 7 loss to the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: Sengun finished Sunday's defeat with his fifth double-double in seven games, grabbing nine rebounds in the two exceptions. Sengun's efficiency in Game 7 wasn't up to standard, but the Warriors did an excellent job of making him work for his looks after he shot 11-of-18 from the field in Game 1. Result aside, this was a promising first playoff series for Sengun. From a fantasy standpoint, he did not reach his Yahoo! ADP (27) in eight- or nine-cat formats this season. However, the skill set is such that Sengun will not slip outside the first 50 picks in fantasy drafts next fall. |
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Amen Thompson Amen Thompson drops 24 points, complete stat line
Sun, May 4, 2025, 5:47 PM
Amen Thompson finished Sunday's Game 7 loss to the Warriors with 24 points (9-of-16 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 37 minutes.
Analysis: A double-digit scorer in each of the final six games of the series, Thompson surpassed 20 points in Games 5 and 7. On Sunday, the second-year wing recorded a complete stat line while shooting over 50 percent from the field. While he does not offer much as a perimeter shooter, Thompson's versatility, athleticism and defensive ability make him an attractive building block for the future. His fantasy value took off once he moved into the starting lineup, and Thompson should begin next season as a starter. After entering this season with a Yahoo! ADP of 116, a case can be made for Amen being a top-50 pick in three-point punt builds next fall. |
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Jae'Sean Tate Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) out for Game 7 on Sunday
Sun, May 4, 2025, 3:28 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) is out for Game 7 on Sunday against the Warriors.
Analysis: Tate has yet to play in this series, as he has been out with a right ankle impingement. His continued absence will not impact the series, as Tate is not guaranteed rotation minutes when he is available. |
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Jock Landale Jock Landale (knee) out again for Game 7 Sunday
Sat, May 3, 2025, 12:56 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jock Landale (knee) will remain sidelined for Game 7 against the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: Aside from a five minute stint in Game 5 during Houston's blowout win, Landale has not seen the floor this series. He missed Game 6 and will remain sidelined once again, though it won't impact the Rockets' rotation. |
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