Amir Motameni

Joined: Jul 1, 2026

Feb 23, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) celebrates forward Kevin Durant (7) and forward Tari Eason (17) play against the Utah Jazz in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) and Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) sit on the bench against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court during the final minutes of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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Our Rockets On SI writers weigh whether preserving Kevin Durant for the playoffs should take priority over maximizing his regular-season workload.

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The Houston Rockets added Marcus Smart and return a healthier roster for 2026-27. On SI Rockets writers predict the team's best closing lineup for clutch situations.

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka prior to game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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Houston has the depth and talent to compete for a top-four seed, but finishing fifth in the loaded Western Conference remains the most realistic expectation.

May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) shoots outside against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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The rising two-way star has earned a massive payday, but a deal below the maximum could benefit both Amen Thompson and the Rockets.

Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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Our On SI Houston Rockets staff weighs in on whether the All-Star center has what it takes to be a foundational piece on a championship contender alongside Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson.

Oct 20, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred Van Vleet (5) dribbles against Miami Heat guard R.J. Hampton (4) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

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Houston can maximize Reed Sheppard's shooting and basketball IQ off the bench, while also utilizing him alongside Fred VanVleet in the right lineups.

Fred VanVleet meets with the media about his various sports-related charity events on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Joe Buckets Basketball Training center in Winnebago.

RFD0618 Fred Vanvleet

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Fred VanVleet is reportedly on track to start for the Houston Rockets when the 2026-27 season begins, giving Ime Udoka a healthy veteran point guard to lead a deep roster.

Jan 1, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) and Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) on the court during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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The 23-year-old continues to improve every season and has quickly become one of the NBA's best young two-way players, making him nearly untouchable in trade talks.

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Kevin Durant's latest social media post has fueled speculation about Detroit, but should Houston even consider moving its superstar?

Mar 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Gary Trent Jr. (5) drives for the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard AJ Johnson (8) and center Moussa Cisse (30) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Free Agency

The veteran guard could be a low-risk, high-reward signing as Houston looks to surround Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Şengün with more perimeter shooting.

Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Free Agency

Houston has an opportunity to add another proven scorer around Kevin Durant on what could become one of the best bargain contracts of the offseason.

Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) reacts after dunking against the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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Houston would sacrifice one of its best young defenders, but Trey Murphy III's elite shooting and two-way versatility could make the Rockets even stronger around Kevin Durant.

Amir Motameni

Joined: Jul 1, 2026

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Amen Thompson Is the Future of the Houston Rockets

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