After pulling off a blockbuster trade to acquire Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets begin the 2025-26 season as one of the front-runners to win the NBA championship.
The Rockets sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA draft (Khaman Maluach) and five second-round picks to the Phoenix Suns for the future Hall of Famer. They also signed Clint Capela, Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie in free agency.
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Behind their busy offseason, the Rockets are currently tied for the second-best title odds, along with Cleveland, New York and Denver. The group projects to once again be in the mix to have homecourt advantage after going 52-30 last season.
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Rockets’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PG
Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) points during the first quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Fred VanVleet: $25,000,000
Reed Sheppard: $10,603,560
Aaron Holiday: $2,296,274
SG
Apr 30, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) dunks against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter during game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Amen Thompson: $9,690,600
SF
Mar 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant: $54,708,609
Dorian Finney-Smith: $12,700,000
Jae’Sean Tate: $2,296,274
PF
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) shoots against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Jabari Smith Jr.: $12,350,392
C
May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) defends as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) controls the ball during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Alperen Şengün: $33,944,954
Steven Adams: $14,130,435
Two-Way Contracts
Rockets salary information via Spotrac
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Rockets depth chart: Projecting starters, backups for 2025-26 season