“The Rockets now stand as arguably the deepest team in basketball,” The Athletic’s Kelly Iko writes as part of his offseason grade (A) for Houston.
While there are still a handful of moves remaining, the NBA picture for the 2025-26 season is now largely in focus.
So our NBA staff graded each team’s summer moves ⤵️https://t.co/NmMNLBIaZq
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 4, 2025
As part of a widely praised 2025 offseason, the Rockets gained more star power with the acquisition of Kevin Durant. Between the future Hall of Famer and 23-year-old center Alperen Sengun, that gives Houston a duo of 2025 All-Stars as foundational pieces for its 2025-26 roster.
Amen Thompson, a rising star entering his third NBA season, could soon be in All-Star discussions, as well.
But while stars are certainly in place, there’s also an argument to be made that Houston might have the league’s deepest roster. With training camps opening around October 1, it’s that combination that has the Rockets — who finished last season at 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference — among the early championship favorites.
In grading Houston’s 2025 offseason an A, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko argues that the Rockets could have the NBA’s deepest squad, as things currently stand. His case:
The acquisition of Kevin Durant by a 52-win team without cratering depth was enough to cap a strong Rockets offseason, but the veteran additions of Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela on team-friendly contracts put Houston in rare summer air.
The organization was also able to retain key rotational members Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr. without handcuffing themselves financially — and the Rockets now stand as arguably the deepest team in basketball. This team has shifted from a patient rebuild to an aggressive championship push in fewer than three seasons… and now has the personnel to play any style that head coach Ime Udoka wants, any time.
“Houston’s time is now,” Iko concludes.
The starting lineup for the Rockets is likely to consist of VanVleet, Durant, Smith, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun, with reserve rotation players including Adams, Tari Eason, Finney-Smith, and Sheppard.
But beyond those nine, Houston has accomplished veterans such as Capela, Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, Jae’Sean Tate, and Jeff Green occupying spots No. 10 through No. 14 on its roster — and that’s before considering potential two-way options.
With the exception of Sheppard, a second-year guard who has considerable upside as the No. 3 overall pick from the NBA’s 2024 draft, each of those nine rotation players is already proven as a capable starter or rotation player. Furthermore, should Sheppard not pan out or injuries occur elsewhere in the rotation, the Rockets have as many as five players further down the depth chart that have shown an ability to play solid NBA minutes.
So, between the strength of its projected rotation and the widespread availability of insurance policies, Houston is in a strong place as training camp nears.