Houston Rockets 2025-2026 guide: Roster, Depth Chart & Key Players
The addition of Kevin Durant makes the Rockets one of the most legitimate contenders for the NBA title
In an offseason full of “almost moves,” the Houston Rockets were perhaps the only team to actually fulfill every dream on their wishlist, starting with the signing of Kevin Durant. The injury to Fred VanVleet was an unfortunate setback, but Ime Udoka’s roster looks deep enough to handle his absence without major issues.
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Key Players
The aforementioned Kevin Durant (F, 17.5 cr) is the perfect player to elevate this roster, turning Houston into perhaps the second-strongest team in the West. The Rockets often struggled offensively last season, especially in games where their defense wasn’t generating fast breaks, the kind of setting in which one of the greatest scorers ever will thrive with his isolation plays.
If last season’s performances weren’t enough, Alperen Sengun (C, 17.0 cr) strengthened his case as an elite big man with a sensational EuroBasket campaign, earning silver with Turkey.
The NBA’s faster pace still prevents him from consistently replicating those performances, but his improved defense and decision-making at the international level will definitely translate. In short, the nickname baby Jokic no longer does him justice.
Possible Surprises
With VanVleet out, Houston will address the gap in two ways: by giving a larger role to Amen Thompson (G, 13.5 cr) and integrating Reed Sheppard (G, 4.5 cr) into the rotation. The former is almost certain to deliver an All-Star caliber season, while the latter could seize this chance to prove all the positive pre-draft reports about him were right.
At such a low price, Sheppard looks like a must-try fantasy pick.
Players to Avoid
Jabari Smith Jr. (F, 8.0 cr) has alternated flashes of brilliance with long, frustrating stretches of invisibility, testing Udoka’s patience with lethargic performances. His profile as a perimeter-oriented big would fit well on many teams, but not necessarily on one featuring an even more unorthodox center like Sengun.
At this point, it’s hard to justify the investment Houston made in him on Draft night, and even from a Dunkest standpoint, he’s best avoided.
Likely Starting Lineup
PG: Amen Thompson (Guard, 13.5 credits)
SG: Dorian Finney-Smith (Guard, 6.5 credits)
SF: Kevin Durant (Forward, 17.5 credits)
PF: Jabari Smith Jr. (Forward, 8.0 credits)
C: Alperen Sengun (Center, 17.0 credits)
Power Ranking
By adding KD, a reliable backup center like Clint Capela, and a quality role player in Finney-Smith, the Rockets have become a serious championship contender. Add to that Ime Udoka, a top-tier coach with the authority and respect to lead a star-studded locker room, and it’s easy to see why Houston should be considered one of the frontrunners for the NBA title.
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Dunkest Fantasy Basketball Player List NBA 2025/26
To make life easier for all draft mode enthusiasts, we’ve made the Dunkest NBA 2025/26 player list available for download in Excel format, so you can start planning your auction in the coming days.