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2024-2025 Houston Rockets thread - Prepare for Liftoff ๐Ÿš€ [Now Featuring Kevin Durant]


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Posted

Rockets want to balance experience with youth, and theyโ€™re off to a great start

ย Summarize

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 23, 2025 in Houston, Texas.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Over the past few weeks, Houston Rockets team officials made it clear that building on a 52-win season was the organizationโ€™s No. 1 priority, regardless of its postseason embarrassment months before.

Houstonโ€™s brass, led by general manager Rafael Stone and owner Patrick Fertitta, aggressively retained its core. Head coach Ime Udoka was signed to a long-term extension, strengthening the alignment that has worked the past two years. Key veteran contributors Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams were next on the docket, their immediate futures hammered out quickly. Important role players โ€” Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green and Jaeโ€™Sean Tate โ€” were also re-signed, as was fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr., an Udoka favorite.

The trade for 14-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant (which canโ€™t be officially completed until July 6), a blockbuster move that cost the Rockets two starters and NBA Draft capital, was the biggest indicator that Houston intended to contend. During the first few hours of free agency, the organization doubled down on those intentions.

Then, Monday, the Rockets agreed to sign veteran forwardย Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal, according to league sources. Houston also agreed to a deal toย reacquire former center Clint Capela, one that will pay the 31-year-old $21.5 million over the next three seasons, a league source said.

Houston isnโ€™t finished doing business, either. The franchise will continue to work on finding third-year, 20-year-old wing Cam Whitmore a new home via trade and look to find a solution for reserve center Jock Landale, either by trade or simply waiving him ahead of his July 7 guarantee date. It also appears that Capelaโ€™s addition will need to expand into a sign-and-trade, given Houstonโ€™s cap situation.

As it stands, the Rockets are hard-capped at the first apron ($195.9 million) after using the nontaxpayer midlevel exception to sign Finney-Smith.

Reducing Houstonโ€™s payroll โ€” by removing Landaleโ€™s $8 million non-guaranteed salary โ€” will get it under the apron and afford it more wiggle room. Whitmoreโ€™s salary ($3.5 million for 2025-26) isnโ€™t the deciding factor in the Rocketsโ€™ flexibility, but itโ€™s apparent his days in Houston were numbered, long before it made any of these offseason moves.

GettyImages-2221510546-scaled.jpg
Houstonโ€™s sacrifices to pick up 36-year-old Kevin Durant reinforce how much Ime Udoka values productive veterans. (Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images)

Regardless, the common theme in the Rocketsโ€™ in-house business or their outward acquisitions is experience. VanVleet, Adams and Capela are 31. Finney-Smith is 32. Durant is 36.

As long as Udoka has been at the helm, his voice within the organization has risen, and the 47-year-old has been vocal about his preference for older veterans. And as such, given the aforementioned alignment with Houstonโ€™s front office and ownership, the team has fulfilled his wishes. After Houstonโ€™s Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Udokaโ€™s end-of-season news conference drove home the point about the need for improved IQ and the power of experience, buzzwords that typically precede roster changes.

Make no mistake: The Rocketsโ€™ offseason is off to an excellent start. The overarching theme in negotiations has been maintaining financial leverage, all while building a roster that is built for now and later. The two-timeline approach is risky in a vacuum, but context, mainly personnel, is important. It might not have worked out in the Bay with James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, but those are different players from Thompson, Smith, Tari Eason and even Reed Sheppard.

Still, itโ€™s jarring to see Houston move in this manner, particularly because of how quickly its methodology has shifted. Perhaps thatโ€™s why itโ€™s difficult to quantify the magnitude of its summer business to this point. For years, the Rocketsโ€™ ethos was patience and perseverance, opting to accumulate losses, build through the draft and maintain enough elasticity to capitalize at an opportune moment.

That moment is now. The Rockets have peeled back the curtain on what was once a rebuild, laying out a championship-capable core.

A team that finished in the bottom 10 in half-court offensive efficiency and a myriad of shooting categories has added two veterans who shot better than 40 percent from 3 on good volume, one of whom is already eighth on the NBAโ€™s all-time scoring list. Houstonโ€™s coaching staff, which had previously committed to drastic improvement this offseason, will now have several in-game combinations that should yield elite spacing and scoring. Alperen ลžengรผn, coming off an All-Star campaign, will only continue to flourish with better players around him, as will Thompson, who should thrive with quality spacing. And when Houston wants to impose its will on the offensive glass, Adams and Capela are ready to help.

This team, which had already established itself as a top-five defensive unit, added more physicality, rim protection, switchability and point-of-attack aggression. Houston, which has taken pride in its playersโ€™ size, can now boast an in-game lineup featuring tremendous length in Thompson, Eason, Finney-Smith, Smith and Durant. The Rockets have the capability of shape-shifting to any opposition and can now play any defensive style they want.

The Rockets, who are determined to win and develop now, should be considered a threat in the Western Conference. Team officials have long used the Oklahoma City Thunder as a loose comparison, but while the differences between the teams are clear, thereโ€™s no denying Houston is aware of the leagueโ€™s parity and is preparing itself for a battle of supremacy over the years to come.

(Top photo of Ime Udoka: Tim Warner / Getty Images)

Posted

ย 

Free agent forwardย Dorian Finney-Smithย has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with theย Houston Rockets,ย sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Free agent guardย Ty Jeromeย has agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with theย Memphis Grizzlies, with a player option in Year 3,ย sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Free agentย Gary Trent Jr. agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with a player option to return to theย Milwaukee Bucks, sourcesย told ESPN's Shams Charania.

ย 

So we could've signed both Ty Jerome and Gary Trent Jr. for less than DFS cost us?

Uh Oh Omg GIF by ESPN

Posted
25 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Itโ€™s the Reed show

The team is very confident in Reedโ€™s ability and so am I. Iโ€™m very bullish that heโ€™ll take a big step forward this year.

Posted
3 hours ago, Hank Kingsley said:

If the Rockets traded for Giannis, I would be fucking pissed. As in my 40 year fandom would take a big hit.ย 

We have made the necessary moves to compete for a title. I like our roster a lot. I'm gonna assume front office has no desire to trade for him until further notice.ย 

Man, I don't know.ย  I don't like Giannis, but if I could get him for Sengun, Eason, Whitmore, filler and picks, it'd be very hard not to make that move:

PG - FVV, Sheppard

SG - Amen

SF - KD, DFS

PF - Giannis, Jabari

C - Adams, Capela

That is a very complete and versatile roster that would be a serious championship contender for the foreseeable future.ย  Could probably use one more shooter but that is picking knits.

Itโ€™s probably not on the table anymore now that the Bucks just signed Turner to a long term deal and Iโ€™m not sure theyโ€™d want Sengun and Turner as their two key pieces, but its definitely worth considering if its on the table.

Posted
5 minutes ago, BigOrange1 said:

Man, I don't know.ย  I don't like Giannis, but if I could get him for Sengun, Eason, Whitmore, filler and picks, it'd be very hard not to make that move:

PG - FVV, Sheppard

SG - Amen

SF - KD, DFS

PF - Giannis, Jabari

C - Adams, Capela

That is a very complete and versatile roster that would be a serious championship contender for the foreseeable future.ย  Could probably use one more shooter but that is picking knits.

Itโ€™s probably not on the table anymore now that the Bucks just signed Turner to a long term deal and Iโ€™m not sure theyโ€™d want Sengun and Turner as their two key pieces, but its definitely worth considering if its on the table.

My reasoning is almost strictly emotional, though I don't think Amen and Giannis are the ideal fit together offensively.ย 

I simply do no want to completely flip over a young roster that was a 2 seed last year and has already set themselves as a championship contender right now.ย 

ย 

  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted
1 hour ago, Murfdogg21 said:

ย 

Free agent forwardย Dorian Finney-Smithย has agreed to a four-year, $53 million deal with theย Houston Rockets,ย sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Free agent guardย Ty Jeromeย has agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with theย Memphis Grizzlies, with a player option in Year 3,ย sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Free agentย Gary Trent Jr. agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with a player option to return to theย Milwaukee Bucks, sourcesย told ESPN's Shams Charania.

ย 

So we could've signed both Ty Jerome and Gary Trent Jr. for less than DFS cost us?

Uh Oh Omg GIF by ESPN

Trent Jr got what he got because he canโ€™t play defense.ย 
ย 

Ty Jerome would have been a nice piece at SG. No argument there.ย 

DFS was so expensive because heโ€™s a really good defender, and a 41% 3 point shooter. I believe the Lakers were 14-5 in games he started. Obviously that record is skewed because of the Luka acquisition, but it provides some insight on how important he was to them.

I think there was a way to sign DFS, Capela and Jerome. I wish they had gone that direction.ย 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
41 minutes ago, Macklemore said:

The team is very confident in Reedโ€™s ability and so am I. Iโ€™m very bullish that heโ€™ll take a big step forward this year.

All of these signings seem to pair well with Reedโ€™s size and defensive weaknessesย 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I think there was a way to sign DFS, Capela and Jerome. I wish they had gone that direction.ย 

I would have preferred Jerome to Capela.ย  Most of what I read says he's lost a lot defensively and isn't a good big for small line-ups, and we already have Adams if we want to play Sengun at 4.ย ย 

Thompson already averaged the 3rd most minutes on the team last year--he can take more shots but they have a desperate need to fill minutes at 2.ย ย 

1 hour ago, Js1 said:

Luka was fighting hard to keep DFS.ย 

Maybe that matters, and maybe that's Harden fighting hard to get Chris Paul, then Westbrook, then...out the door.ย  Players (active, anyway) are shitty GM's.ย ย 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
1 hour ago, LCHorn said:

I would have preferred Jerome to Capela.ย  Most of what I read says he's lost a lot defensively and isn't a good big for small line-ups, and we already have Adams if we want to play Sengun at 4.ย ย 

Thompson already averaged the 3rd most minutes on the team last year--he can take more shots but they have a desperate need to fill minutes at 2.ย ย 

Maybe that matters, and maybe that's Harden fighting hard to get Chris Paul, then Westbrook, then...out the door.ย  Players (active, anyway) are shitty GM's.ย ย 

It appears the Rockets are not worried about ball handlers, maybe they think they can get better value at the trade deadline for that spot after seeing what they have/need

Posted
40 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

It appears the Rockets are not worried about ball handlers, maybe they think they can get better value at the trade deadline for that spot after seeing what they have/need

Locked On Rockets think theyโ€™re all in on FVV, Amen, and Reed being the primary ball handlers with some Holliday minutes.
ย 

Iโ€™d argue that Holliday can barely dribble.ย 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
9 hours ago, Macklemore said:

Vet minimum deal for Dame to join the Rockets after he is done rehabbing his Achilles?

I would love that. If he doesnโ€™t do anything but wave a towel and teach the young โ€˜uns a winner attitude thatโ€™s money well spentโ€ฆ

Posted
4 hours ago, ChickenSandwich said:

It appears the Rockets are not worried about ball handlers, maybe they think they can get better value at the trade deadline for that spot after seeing what they have/need

Chris Paul is still out there...ย 

Posted (edited)

How does the thread feel about John Hollinger? He was pretty dismissive of the Rockets chances. โ€œThey only have one PG they trust.โ€

Lowe chimed in with a โ€œDFS doesnโ€™t shoot it well enough to worry other teams.โ€

They then both jerked each other off the Spurs. โ€œSmart to stay out of the Durant sweepstakes. Kornet is a really good back up center. Such a smart move, good contract. Called Vassell a blue chip prospect (heโ€™s on his second fucking contract and has been in the league since 2020). Keeping their powder dry for Giannis.โ€

Not a peep about Spurs being too cute, Giannis staying with the Bucks, Wemby staying healthy, or the possibility of the Spurs not even making the playoffs. They really are the armchair GMsโ€™ darling.ย 
ย 

They did acknowledge San Antonio being a bitch to fly in and out of and residents like Bud Light Lime.ย 

Edited by billfromlaketravis
  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted

Lobs to Clint with Harden/CP3 were some of the most exciting plays the team did during the late 2010s. I look forward to seeing more of that. This team is very deep now, and if they can flip Cam for a decent ball handler, they will be in great shape for the regular season and playoffs.ย ย 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted

I wonder what the Pelicans would give to tradeย Jose Alvarado for Cam. Given some of their past trades, Houston might be able to get an unprotected 2028 pick from them for it.ย 

Posted
6 hours ago, Dutchrudder said:

I wonder what the Pelicans would give to tradeย Jose Alvarado for Cam. Given some of their past trades, Houston might be able to get an unprotected 2028 pick from them for it.ย 

We need a two with size, VanVleet, Thompson, Reed, Durant, and Sengun can all initiate offense in the half court.

Posted
8 hours ago, Dutchrudder said:

I wonder what the Pelicans would give to tradeย Jose Alvarado for Cam. Given some of their past trades, Houston might be able to get an unprotected 2028 pick from them for it.ย 

ย 

durant is not a fan of short guardsย 

Posted
3 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

Malcolm Brogdon

Perpetually injured

3 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

Garrison Matthews

We already have one Aaron Holiday, now you want two?

ย 

13 hours ago, Dutchrudder said:

Jose Alvarado

What is this fascination with guards who canโ€™t shoot?

  • Haha 1
Posted
2 hours ago, LCHorn said:

What is this fascination with guards who is canโ€™t shoot?

I'm more interested in what we could do with a future unprotected 1st from NOLA for Cam. Jose is a good defender and fun to watch, but he would just be a bench guy on this team.ย 

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