Houston’s projection starts from five after acquiring experienced Kevin Durant?
After losing the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, the Rockets changed their roster. On the weekend, Houston traded with Phoenix to win two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant.
In this deal, the Rockets sent Suns Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. Green and Brooks are both full-time starters in Houston. With these players leaving, now Kevin Durant is on the team, who will start the Houston Rockets in 2025-26?
The Rockets will have five new looks starting in 2025-26
The Houston Rockets are expected to start with Fred Vanvleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr. @sam_amick and @kelyiko
“Team sources say Smith may have early signs returning to the starting lineup, and Thompson initially… pic.twitter.com/x2rqjoqrzw
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) June 22, 2025
The Rockets lost in the first round of the playoffs, and rumors sparked their interest in Kevin Durant. Their front desk insists that a combination of Durant’s age and internal confidence will own MVP land elsewhere. As we all know, several teams, including the Heat and the Spurs, have an interest in Durant. Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of the sport reported that Phoenix had been in talks with the team for weeks.
Eventually, they made a deal with the Rocket Store, which was Kevin Durant’s new home. To get a prolific scorer, the Rockets traded Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks. Amick and Iko pointed out that head coach Ime Udoka will adjust the starting lineup in 2025-26.
Houston “expected” to create Fred van Van Villet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabary Smith and Alperen Sengen. Vanvleet and Sengun are full-time starters for the Rockets in 2024-25. Jabari Smith Jr. started the starter of the season but was injured. After returning, he was replaced by Amen Thompson. Now, both players are expected to be the starters for the Rockets next season.
In four of the five starting positions, the Rockets have “long enough length.” Fred Vanvaleet is the shortest player of six feet. The five they left were all six feet or higher. Despite the Rockets losing talent, they still have enough defensive stars for head coach Ime Udoka. Houston needs help offense, and Kevin Durant is their answer. The 2025-26 season will be Durant’s 18th year in the NBA. How far can he take the Houston Rockets?
