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ESPN ranks Houston Rockets offseason

2025-08-01T08:43:33-05:00

Photo by Joseph Guzy/NBAE via Getty Images

The Rockets got high marks. Are they high enough?

With a rush of free agency transactions already behind us, the 2025 NBA offseason is well underway, and teams are still working out any lingering agreements as the summer draws to a close.

Some teams are getting used to their new superstars as the 2025–26 NBA season approaches. In particular, in June, the Phoenix Suns traded 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. The veteran forward is expected to provide the Rockets with the boost they need to become a serious contender the following season.

ESPN put out free agency power rankings on July 30, ranking each NBA team’s offseason. The Houston Rockets came in second place just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, jumping three spots from the prior ranking of fifth place.

Notable acquisitions include JD Davison (free agency), Dorian Finney-Smith (free agency), Kevin Durant (trade), and Clint Capela (free agency).

Notable departures include Cam Whitmore, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks (by trade).

After losing in the first round of the playoffs, Houston quickly addressed its offensive needs by adding 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant and strengthening its perimeter defense and depth with Dorian Finney-Smith. Fred VanVleet and a youthful, hungry group of up-and-coming talent, such as Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, are joined by those seasoned veterans. The sharpshooter Reed Sheppard, who showed Houston he is prepared for a bigger role during summer league despite inconsistencies, is another player the Rockets are counting on to improve, particularly on defense. The depth of the frontcourt will also be a devious advantage.

Honestly, I don’t have many gripes with the evaluation of Houston’s offseason; however, I feel that it should be higher than the Thunder’s. All the Thunder did was bring back the same roster as last season, whereas Houston made numerous additions to their roster to improve. The only real argument for having the Thunder’s offseason over Houston’s is that they extended their young core, and that they are elevated in the rankings because they are coming off an NBA championship.

What do you all think? Should the Houston Rockets be higher or lower on this list?

Five Out - Way Out?

2025-07-30T12:39:38-05:00

He’ll Be Fine. Read Why. | Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

It’s The End of July, Man.

Welcome to Another Sporadic Five Out, this time it’s still July!

Not much going on in NBA world. So I thought I’d share some random thoughts of mine, of yours, and of others, and hope you find them interesting.

Summer League Stat Translation To The NBA

Even if you don’t play fantasy basketball, it’s probably worth listening to at least some of Locked On Fantasy Basketball with Josh Lloyd. Sometimes it’s just Josh marching through rankings and somewhat tedious fantasy stuff. Sometimes it’s really useful statistical analysis, not just for fantasy, but for how the NBA works, in general, explained well by Josh Lloyd.

Of particular note of late is an episode on whether or not efficiency collapses with more usage for NBA players. Short Answer (apologies to Josh - any mistakes my own) - sort of, but not for superstars, which is partly why they’re superstars, and not maybe the way you think. It’s really fringe stars that see statistical collapse the most with increased usage.

Also of note, his explanation of work by a group or person called The F5 that tracks just what stats from Summer Leagues translate to the NBA in a positive way. Here’s what does, according to them, and Josh: three point attempts (not percentage), assists (not turnovers), blocks, steals and to some extent, rebounds.

That’s it. That’s literally all that correlates with NBA success and translates to The Association.

Guess what? That’s just what Reed Sheppard did well. All of it. Including rebounds. Assists were in my opinion depressed somewhat by guys who couldn’t make open layups.

Remember The Morey Poison Pill?

I wonder if a mild regret of the Rockets summer is not keeping some powder dry to force teams into something resembling the old Daryl Morey Restricted Free Agent Poison Pill (since legislated away, like Many Morey Moves). Right now three pretty interesting restricted free agent players are sitting around with what amounts to a somewhat derisory qualifying offer sitting around with them, bumming them out. (I will play for the qualifying offer.) Those players of course are Kuminga, Giddey and Grimes, which sounds like a jazz fusion band.

Because of the second apron and NBA hard cap it creates, those players’ teams have them over the metaphorical barrel. No one has any money to make a offer for their teams to match. Their teams for various reasons don’t want to pay these players much, or pay them long term.

If you still had, say, a salary exception, you might make an offer for a shooter like Grimes if you were the Rockets. Now, Stone can’t have known this would happen, and doing business early is a less risky approach than doing it late, and I have little to complain about with the Rockets roster. But some shooting would be nice. Another ballhandler would be nice. Would their teams match an offer around the midlevel exception? I’m not so sure they would.

Take This Qualifying Offer and... Send Me To A Back Specialist In Germany

If you were Kuminga, Giddey or Grimes, what would you do, besides hope to get the call for New Orleans Jazzfest? Salary and compensation is all relative to your industry, scarcity of people who do what you do, etc. So with that in mind, I might take the qualifying offer and then mysteriously come down with a back condition that rendered me unable to play except when I felt like it.

I know there are actual physicians reading this blog, so maybe a back injury/condition/extreme-perhaps-bogus-pain isn’t the hardest condition to disprove. What is?

This condition would render me unable to provide services to my team, except occasionally. It would be miraculously cured by a long term contract with another team as an unrestricted free agent.

None of these players is old, and all are being leveraged really hard by their teams. Kuminga may be something of a doofus, but he has a point about how Golden State has treated him.

Whom Do You Hate?

Alright, who is the target of ire on this year’s Rockets? We don’t have Jalen Green to kick around anymore, though a few got a celebratory knife or two in at his inoffensive valedictory words for the city of Houston and Rockets fans.

We know TDS must have its villain. Who will it be? Ime? Stone? Reed? Jabari? Fred? Dark horse Dorian Finney-Smith? Sengun? Tari’s leg? Amen’s dribbling? Amen’s shooting? Clint Capela being 30? Aaron Holiday’s 12 minutes a game?

Sing it out!

Quit Stopping The Clock On Shot Clock Violations

I’ll complain about a rule here, briefly. I don’t believe a rule infraction should EVER, EVER, EVER be a benefit to the team committing the infraction. So I don’t think a team that didn’t manage to get a shot that at least hit the rim, off in 24 seconds should ever get a chance to stop and set its defense as a result of its infraction, if it’s at all possible not to stop the clock.

Sure, someone might airball a shot into the stands. Fine, the clock must stop. Otherwise, it shouldn’t stop at all, or should stop for only the time it takes for the team who caused the violation to inbound the ball. No referee grabbing and holding the ball, no setting up. If the team who caused the shot clock violation grabs the ball and throws it in within a second, great. They deserve to do that.

No Benefit To The Team Committing The Infraction. Ever.

POLL

Cam Whitmore has the Rockets circled on his calendar

2025-07-30T05:41:52-05:00

Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Cam breaks his silence in an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson after being traded to his hometown team.

Many Houston Rockets fans are still coming to grips with the fact that Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Cam Whitmore are no longer members of the team. While the excitement around the acquisition of Kevin Durant is palpable, many fans were looking forward to these players taking a big leap this season, in a Rockets uniform.

Even after we wrapped our minds around the fact that Jalen was gone and the Rockets essentially swapped him for one of the greatest scorers of all-time, many of us saw the silver-lining being more playing time for Cam Whitmore. That is until we quickly found out that’s not how Ime Udoka and Raphael Stone saw things. The Rockets have built a solid roster that the city is going to get behind, but we will all be giving some side eye to the now former Rocket / current Washington Wizard, and he will be watching the Rockets too.

In an interview with Brandon Robinson that can be found on his website, ScoopB.com, Whitmore was asked what his thoughts were on Kevin Durant now playing for the Rockets. His response?

I mean Kevin Durant’s a fit, but at the end of the day, that calendar is marked when the day comes, and so it’s gonna be a good game.

Rockets fans no doubt feel the same way. Many of us look forward to seeing what the young man is capable of with a real shot at consistent minutes on the floor. I myself will be rooting for the kid, when he’s not playing the Rockets of course.

Whitmore was also asked what he took away from his time with Ime Udoka and his emphasis on defense.

I mean, you said it yourself on the defensive end. You can’t get on the floor without defense. When I first arrived in the NBA, I really didn’t focus on that side of the floor but as time went on, defense could make a big impact and you don’t even have to score the ball. You can rebound and hustle back on defense and get deflections you know? Just the little stuff that helps the team win.

Again, Rockets fans should not be surprised by this answer. Ime Udoka made it very clear the moment he arrived, you don’t defend, you don’t play. That went for everyone, not just Whitmore. We have seen Ime bench everyone but Fred VanVleet, and Clutch, due to their inconsistent effort at times on the defensive end. Whitmore would do well to take that phiosophy and mindset with him to Washington, if he wants to reach the full potential that made him a first round draft pick two years ago.

While many Rockets fans fear the team gave up on him too soon, (count me in that group) Raphael Stone made it clear that the Rockets are not a developmental team anymore. The need players who know how to win and win now. Time will tell, but in five years from now, we will know if letting Cam Whitmore walk was the right thing to do. If he returns as one of the newest “Rocket killers”, then fans will be lamenting the day the Rockets let him go. Either way I believe most of us wish the young man the very best.

Rockets firm up two-way roster slots

2025-07-29T08:29:24-05:00

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Rockets are finalizing their roster for the year.

The Houston Rockets made several moves over the weekend when they signed former Boston Celtics guard JD Davison as well as forward Isaiah Crawford to a two-way deals. The team’s third two-way deal (the maximum) belongs to guard Kevon Harris, who the Rockets signed back on July 5.

The 22-year-old Davison was drafted by the Celtics in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. He played on a two-way deal in Boston before being converted to a standard deal by the Celtics in 2025.

Davison a 6’1” point guard who’s played in just 36 total games over the three seasons of his NBA career, never averaging more than 5.8 minutes per contest. He carries career averages of 1.9 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game on 38.5 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He did have some good G League numbers, averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep.

The 23-year-old Crawford, who stands 6’6”, went undrafted, but linked up with the Sacramento Kings last season as one of their two-way players. He played in 15 games with the Kings, averaging just 3.3 minutes per contest.

In the G League, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the floor and 44.7 percent from three.

Harris also went undrafted, but has been on an exhibit 10 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, as well as a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic.

Harris is a little older, at 28, and did play in 34 games with the Magic in the 2022-2023 season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 boards in 13.4 minutes per night.

Last year in the G League, he averaged 19.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per night, while also shooting 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep.

The Rockets have completely remade their two-way roster this year, and now all three slots are filled for the season.

Rockets attempted to trade for Cavaliers Dean Wade before NBA Draft

2025-07-25T04:34:26-05:00

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images

The Rockets almost looked very different.

The Houston Rockets historic deal for Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in return for a package centered around Jalen Green has been the highlight of their hectic offseason. The Rockets have also made several astute low-key acquisitions, such as luring Dorian Finney-Smith from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. However, it was recently reported that the Rockets attempted to get Dean Wade in the week between the NBA Draft and the beginning of free agency, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

Siegel recently covered some of the other names that the Rockets were said to be considering before acquiring Finney-Smith.

According to insiders, the Houston Rockets attempted to acquire forward Wade from the Cleveland Cavaliers before acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, Siegel said. In exchange for a trade with Cleveland, “Houston was willing to offer Wade a full MLE extension over the next few seasons, the same deal that Finney-Smith ultimately got.”

Wade is still a valuable member of the rotation, as seen by the Cavaliers’ rejection of Houston’s trade offer. Wade’s size, defensive versatility, and dependable outside shooting appealed to Houston before they switched to Finney-Smith, who had left the Lakers, despite his unimpressive name.

Wade, 28, will make $6.6 million in 2024–2025 as he enters the last year of his current contract. He averaged 5.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 59 games played for the Cavaliers last season, shooting 36.0% from three-point range. His versatility to defend various positions and stretch the floor makes him an attractive asset, especially on a team-friendly contract, even though his numbers might not jump off the page.

In the end, both teams should be content with their outcomes. Cleavland got to keep a piece of their core, and Houston was able to poach Dorian Finey Smith from the Lakers.

A new look coming for The Dream Shake in August

2025-07-24T11:00:00-05:00

Our coverage remains the same but with a new look

In just a couple of weeks, The Dream Shake is switching to a new platform as part of SB Nation’s network-wide move to a new publishing platform. This will change the look of the site and also make it faster and more reliable on any device you use. This is an upgrade.

When you land on the site, it will look cleaner – less clunky, with more white space, a better ad experience with faster load times – but will still have all the usual articles, analysis, and news by all the folks you know.

Community discussion and content created by you will be more prominent in the new design. The best comment threads will be easy to find, and staff and commenters alike will be able to start conversations whenever they like with a brand new tool.

We’re planning on an early August reveal, so we wanted to give you a heads up. You’ll hear more from us when it’s almost here. The site will look a little different, feel a little faster, and, most importantly, have a bigger role for you, the community.

So, stick around and check it out!

Rockets sign forward Josh Okogie to one-year deal

2025-07-22T13:21:23-05:00

Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The Rockets add another wing defender to the mix.

It was announced today that the Houston Rockets signed forward Josh Okogie to a one-year, $3.1 million deal.

Free agent forward Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Okogie enters his 8th NBA season and gives the Rockets another active wing defender who has averaged 6.3 points over 416 games. pic.twitter.com/RazV3afZq1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 22, 2025

The 26-year-old Okogie is a capable veteran defensive wing that adds to Houston’s already impressive wing depth. The 6’4” Okogie can also moonlight as a shooting guard in true swingman fashion, however, he’s not known as a scorer, averaging just 6.3 points per game for his career on 40.6 percent shooting from the field and 29.9 percent from beyond the arc.

He also sports other small career averages of 3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1 steal and .5 blocks per game, but perhaps most noticeably, he’s had a positive defensive box plus-minus every year of his career. He’s also had a fair amount of injury history, which is something else to keep an eye on.

This is a fine signing by the Rockets, as Okogie gives Houston immense defensive flexibilty in guarding the absolute hellscape of Western Conference scoring and playmaking talent the Rockets will be facing this year. However, it does nothing to address Houston’s biggest need for an additional scorer or shooter. Okogie is neither.

Don’t get me wrong, you can never have too many wing defenders, so I’m not opposed to this move, it just feels a little like a luxury signing when there’s such a glaring need. It appears the Rockets have a ton of faith in Reed Sheppard. I know the fanbase is a little less certain overall.

I definitely believe Reed can be that guy. Whether or not he’s ready for it right now remains to be seen, but it appears GM Rafael Stone has the confidence in him. But for the good of the Rockets, he needs to be ready. What happens when Kevin Durant and Fred VanVleet are both out? You can pencil in both of those guys for 20-25 missed games. Some will happen simultaneously. Who playmakes and scores from the perimeter on those occasions if not Sheppard?

Anyway, however, it’s ultimately a low-risk move that brings another defender into the mix. And that’s a good thing. But it’s strengthening an already strength, and not addressing an obvious need.

Welcome to Houston, Josh!

Rockets roster is good, but not perfect

2025-07-21T13:42:16-05:00

Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Will the cost of adding the greatest scorer of all-time be too much?

There is little doubt that the Houston Rockets immediately stole the NBA offseason from the rest of the league with their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. The subsequent moves of signing Dorian Finney-Smith to replace Dillon Brooks, adding center depth with the sign and trade of Clint Capela, in addition to a contract extension for Jabari Smith Jr. have all been heralded as very shrewd moves by the Rockets brass in their attempt to build a “win now” championship roster, and rightfully so. The Rockets have built a very good roster on paper... but it isn’t perfect.

When you look at the Rockets roster, you see size, versatility, defensive prowess and intensity... it’s even fair to say there are a few “dawgs” on this team. There is an abundance of talent. What there is not an abundance of is scoring guards. In fact, there is currently one “shooting guard” on the roster, and that is the 6’ 5” guard from Stephen F. Austin, Kevon Harris. Cue the Snoop Dogg “WHO?” meme. He is on a two-way contract and will likely spend most of his time in the Rio Grande Valley, IF he remains on the team.

The losses Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore means there is a significant drop off in explosiveness and athleticism on the perimeter, and it begs the question, who on this team can come off the bench and get buckets? The Rockets hope it’s Reed Sheppard. However, while dreams and rebellions are built on hope, NBA rosters are not. Especially ones that have championship aspirations.

The Rockets have everything they need, barring injury, to have a very successful regular season record and get into the playoffs, even in the loaded Western Conference. Do they have enough to make a deep playoff run? That remains to be seen, but from where I’m sitting, the lack of a true two-guard is a glaring weakness.

We saw the Rockets struggle to score points when they arguably had more “playmakers” on the roster with Green, Thompson, and occasionally Whitmore. Now they’re down to just one truly dynamic playmaker in Amen Thompson, and he won’t be on the floor for 48 minutes a night... at least I hope he won’t.

Who is going to score points for the Rockets when Kevin Durant is either resting in-game, not playing due to load management, or heaven forbid, not playing for an extended period of time due to injury? That is a question that the Rockets themselves don’t even know the answer to. Perhaps that person arises from the current roster in training camp. Does Tari Eason have another level he can reach on the offensive end? Is all the faith seemingly being put in Reed Sheppard going to be rewarded? Is there another level for the likes of Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun offensively? Will the Rockets be so dominant defensively that they can survive Durant-less minutes without another certified offensive threat on the floor?

All those questions remain just that... questions. The one thing we do know is there is no additional free agent signing available that automatically solves this problem. Quentin Grimes would be the next available solution to this void on the Rockets roster, but not only is he a restricted free agent for a 76ers team that desperately needs to do something positive for their roster, but the Rockets used their MLE to acquire Finney-Smith.

Jonathan Kuminga or Cam Thomas? Present the same issue... both restricted free agents and both looking to get paid far more than the Rockets can offer. Russel Westbrook? Sorry but... been there, tried that, got the t-shirt. I’m good. Malcom Brogdan? Doesn’t move the needle at all. Reed Sheppard should be better than him at this point in their careers. Truth be told, this issue may not be solved this season, and if it does, it’s likely going to be via trade. The Rockets have plenty of wing-depth... it’s just in the form of versatile big-men who lack elite explosiveness and a certified offensive bag.

I am by no means hitting the panic button on this team. In order to improve a roster via trade there is give and take. The Rockets took one of the, if not THE greatest scorer of the basketball of all time. But it did cost. The question Rockets fans have been, and will continue to ask until we see this team playing in April, May, and hopefully into June of next year... Did it cost too much?