Houston Rockets' Biggest Offseason Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft

Getting Fred VanVleet back from a torn ACL should make a big difference for the Houston Rockets' offense next season, although the two second-round picks should be used to help add some playmaking and outside shooting as well.

The Rockets finished 27th overall in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio last season (1.65), a number similar to the lowly Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, both of whom were relying strongly on rookies.

For a team with a ton of wing and frontcourt talent, a trade to balance out the roster is entirely possible. There are a ton of senior guards projected to go in the second round, however—players who could help give the Rockets' backcourt some additional depth.

2025-26 Record: 52-30

Draft Picks: 39, 53

Volume Shooting

The Houston Rockets shot a good percentage from three this season, but they ranked 25th in makes, which was a big factor in their below-average effective field-goal percentage.

They made up for that with ferocious offensive rebounding (especially before Steven Adams went down), but if they're going to press forward with Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson, they need some players who balance out their inside-the-three-point-line games.

A Kevin Durant Trade

On the other hand, the Rockets could trade KD and get a sort of fresh start around Thompson, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard.

They certainly wouldn't win as many games in the short term, but this season showed they're probably not ready to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs anyway. And by the time the young guys are ready, KD could be 40.

Instead of waiting for that, Houston could flip Durant for whatever assets it can get now, give Thompson and Sheppard more opportunities on the ball and hope it accelerates their development.

Health

In the absence of such a shakeup, Houston just has to hope its veterans (like Durant, Adams and Fred VanVleet) can get and stay on the court next season.

It's certainly not a given with their ages and injury histories, but if they're available, Houston could at least be a more serious challenger than it was this season.