Tag: Houston Rockets

Rockets Land Durant, Eye Championship Run

Houston Rockets
September 2025

Houston Rockets made a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a top-10 draft pick, and five second-rounders to Phoenix. Durant, 36, joins on the final year of his deal, making Houston instant contenders. Rockets must balance win-now urgency with the risk Durant could leave in 2026 free agency. Miami Heat loom as potential suitors if he hits the market. Houston hope to extend him but may explore a trade if things falter.

Jeremy Lin Announces Retirement After 15-Year Career

Jeremy Lin
August 2025

Jeremy Lin has announced his retirement from professional basketball after a 15-year career that spanned the NBA, China, and Taiwan. The former Knicks guard, famed for sparking “Linsanity” in 2012, called it the hardest decision of his life.
Undrafted out of Harvard, Lin rose to global fame with the New York Knicks before stints with the Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, Hawks, and Raptors, winning an NBA title in 2019. He later played in China and Taiwan, becoming a cultural icon for Asian-American representation.

Cam Whitmore Traded to Wizards for Two Second-Round Picks

Cam Whitmore (Houston Rockets > Washington Wizards)
July 2025

The Rockets have traded Cam Whitmore to the Wizards in exchange for two second-round picks. Whitmore now returns to his Maryland roots for a bigger role in Washington.
Despite strong per-touch scoring, Whitmore struggled for minutes in Houston. The Rockets prioritized sending him to a team where he could develop. The Wizards continue a busy offseason with this latest move.

Finney-Smith Signs $53M Deal with Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith (Houston Rockets)
July 1, 2025

Veteran 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith has signed a four-year, $53 million deal with the Houston Rockets, bringing elite perimeter defense and high-efficiency shooting to a team reshaping its rotation post-Kevin Durant trade.
After declining a $15.4M player option with L.A., Finney-Smith moved to Houston. He ranked top 10 in defending All-Stars last season and is expected to replace Dillon Brooks in the lineup.

VanVleet Agrees New Two-Year Deal With Rockets

Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets)
June 2025

Fred VanVleet will stay with Houston on a two-year, $50M deal with a 2026–27 player option. The Rockets declined his $44.9M team option to re-sign him under new terms that offer greater cap flexibility.
VanVleet’s playoff leadership and consistency in Houston’s resurgence were key to the deal. Both sides expect the partnership to continue beyond the two-year agreement as the Rockets build around Kevin Durant and coach Ime Udoka’s long-term vision.

Durant Traded to Rockets in Blockbuster Deal

Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns > Houston Rockets) Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks (Phoenix Suns > Houston Rockets)
Announced June 2025, effective July 6

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to trade 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round picks.
Durant joins a rising Rockets squad led by Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. The deal was one of his preferred outcomes. Houston improves title odds to +850. The Suns pivot to a youth rebuild, adding shooting and grit with Green and Brooks.

Udoka Becomes One of NBA’s Highest-Paid Coaches with New Deal

Ime Udoka (Houston Rockets)
June 2025

Ime Udoka has signed a long-term extension with the Houston Rockets that will pay him eight figures annually, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the league after just his second season with the franchise.
Udoka led Houston to a 52-30 record and their first playoff berth since 2020, drastically improving defense and win totals. His continued progress prompted the front office to secure long-term continuity amid outside interest from teams like the Knicks.

Rockets Reflect, Ready to Build After Playoff Exit

Houston Rockets
May 2025

The Rockets’ first playoff run in five years ended with a Game 7 loss to the Warriors, but coaches and management remain optimistic about the team’s growth and committed to building a championship-caliber roster.
Coach Udoka and GM Stone highlighted team consistency, praised young stars like Jalen Green and Amen Thompson, and hinted at continuity and potential veteran additions this offseason to boost shooting and defense.

VanVleet Ignites Rockets’ Fourth-Quarter Surge to Force Game 7

Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets)
Friday, Game 6 of first-round series

Fred VanVleet’s 29-point night, including a pivotal four-point play to start the fourth, powered the Rockets past Golden State 115-107, evening the series 3-3. He’s hit 18 threes in his last three games.
VanVleet’s clutch shooting exploited Golden State’s defensive shift toward limiting Jalen Green, who was held to 12 points. Houston opened the final quarter on a 6-0 run and capitalized on Warriors’ poor shooting stretch to pull away late.

Stephen Curry Leads Warriors to Gutsy Game 3 Win Over Rockets

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
April 2025 (Game 3, First-Round Playoffs)

Stephen Curry scored 36 points to lead the Warriors past the Rockets 104-93, taking a 2-1 series lead despite missing injured star Jimmy Butler.
Curry overcame a slow start and Houston’s double-teams, with key help from Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield, while Jalen Green struggled as Golden State dominated the second half.

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