The Rockets made headlines this summer time with their blockbuster commerce for Kevin Durant, a transfer that instantly shifted the steadiness of expectations in Houston.
Nonetheless, as Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle emphasised in her season preview, two different offseason choices – extending Steven Adams and re-signing Fred VanVleet to a extra team-friendly contract – deserve simply as a lot recognition for shaping the crew’s id.
Each Adams and VanVleet carry way over their on-court manufacturing. They’re extensively revered as regular locker-room voices and confirmed playoff performers, traits Lerner notes had been on full show throughout Houston’s postseason battle towards the Warriors.
Adams’ bodily presence and rebounding paired with VanVleet’s playmaking and poise gave the Rockets a spine in high-pressure moments, even because the crew fell quick.
Coming off a 52-win marketing campaign, Lerner writes that Houston must be poised to push that complete even increased, doubtlessly climbing into the 55-win vary in 2025/26.
However whereas regular-season success is encouraging, the actual measuring stick for this group will probably be its capacity to advance when it issues most.
Houston hasn’t gained a playoff sequence since 2020, and with Durant within the fold and a deeper, extra skilled supporting forged, expectations are clear: this yr, progress within the postseason is the one end result that may rely as true success.
Southwest Notes: FVV, Adams, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Mavs https://t.co/3pSe0nTwfx pic.twitter.com/3aE45ixr4s
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) September 6, 2025
