\u201cFor the most part we have four guys penciled in, and we\u2019ll figure out what to with the fifth,\u201d Ime Udoka says of Houston\u2019s starting lineup.<\/p>\n
I asked Ime Udoka with the injury to Fred and the depth especially in the front court will the starting lineup be more fluid based on matchups or a consistent five.<\/p>\n
\u201c For the most part we have four guys penciled in and we\u2019ll figure out what to with the fifth.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/FbJPaKKILf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) October 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n When their 2025-26 preseason slate<\/a> begins on Monday night, the Houston Rockets<\/a> will have four established starters, according to head coach Ime Udoka.<\/p>\n The fifth, however, is subject to change and further review.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the most part we have four guys penciled in, and we\u2019ll figure out what to with the fifth,\u201d Udoka told Lachard Binkley (Rockets on SI<\/a>) at Thursday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n Three of the four are clear, since Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson are widely viewed as star-level players<\/a>. And while Udoka didn\u2019t name the fourth, all indications are that it is Jabari Smith Jr., who started prior to a hand injury last January.<\/p>\n Smith previously earned praise from Udoka for a strong offseason<\/a> and was widely considered as likely to return to Houston\u2019s starting lineup<\/a>, even before Fred VanVleet suffered a potentially season ending knee injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n As for the final spot, it is unlikely to go (at least initially) to veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery and is unlikely to be cleared<\/a> by the Oct. 21 regular-season opener.<\/p>\n So, that leaves guard Reed Sheppard; wing Tari Eason; and center Steven Adams.<\/p>\n Ultimately, it could come down to matchups or Udoka\u2019s stylistic preferences, and it might change depending on the opponent.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be,\u201d Udoka said of potentially changing his lineup on a regular basis. \u201cIt\u2019s something we looked at, regardless of before Fred was [injured]. But at the same time, continuity is good, and keeping guys confident and not second-guessing. It takes some maturity if you want to do that kind of rotational lineup, and some things are beneficial to start that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut at the same time, guys are taking some steps and showed a lot of progress and worked extremely hard, so you want to reward that,\u201d Udoka added. \u201cWe\u2019ll see what we get to.\u201d<\/p>\n Sheppard is the closest archetype to VanVleet, in terms of a traditional point guard with ball-handling abilities and 3-point shooting. Then again, Sheppard is also the least proven when it comes to providing consistent value as an NBA rotation player.<\/p>\n Eason offers the most defensive versatility, as a 6-foot-8 wing with the potential to switch and guard a number of different positions. That could have immense value for a Houston squad that prides itself on playing elite defense<\/a>.<\/p>\n Finally, Adams provides the benefits of size, rebounding, and physicality, as shown in Houston\u2019s successful \u2018double big\u2019 lineups<\/a> from late last season.<\/p>\n In the latter two scenarios, Thompson would take over as the official \u201cpoint guard\u201d and primary playmaker<\/a>, which he did at times during VanVleet\u2019s injury absences last season.<\/p>\n The first opportunity for an evaluation versus other teams comes in Monday\u2019s home preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center. The game will be televised regionally on Space City Home Network.<\/p>\n