The Houston Rockets have stormed into the 2025-26 NBA season with a fresh sense of purpose, ambition, and expectation. Ranked No. 2 in USA TODAY’s initial power rankings—just behind the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder—the Rockets have signaled to the league that they’re not just aiming for improvement; they’re gunning for the top prize. With a blend of young talent, veteran leadership, and strategic offseason moves, Houston’s basketball faithful have plenty to be excited about as training camps approach in late September.
Last season, the Rockets posted a 52-30 record, good for fourth-best in the NBA. That was no fluke. The team’s young core—featuring Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and the ever-promising Jabari Smith Jr.—showed flashes of brilliance, grit, and chemistry that hinted at even bigger things to come. Now, with another offseason of development and a blockbuster trade for future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, Houston’s front office has made its intentions clear: championship or bust.
USA TODAY’s Lorenzo Reyes captured the mood perfectly, stating, “They built this team to compete for titles.” That’s not just talk. The Rockets’ aggressive roster overhaul included not only the acquisition of Durant, a perennial All-Star and one of basketball’s most prolific scorers, but also the addition of 3-and-D specialist Dorian Finney-Smith. These moves, combined with the steady hand of respected head coach Ime Udoka, have the Rockets positioned as the team to watch in the Western Conference—not named the Thunder.
But what makes this Rockets squad so compelling isn’t just the headline-grabbing signings. It’s the evolution of their young stars. Jabari Smith Jr., selected No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, remains a key figure in Houston’s rotation. Entering his fourth year, Smith has been pegged by many as a breakout candidate, especially after a season where his shooting numbers crept upward and his defensive impact remained steady. Through three years, Smith’s career shooting splits stand at 43% overall and 34% from three-point range on nearly five attempts per game. Those are respectable numbers, but for a player of his pedigree and potential, there’s a sense that more is on the horizon.
As the Rockets transition into true contention, the spotlight on Smith only intensifies. What will it take for him to make the leap from solid contributor to bona fide star? According to analysts and fans alike, three key areas stand out: efficiency, defense, and ball-handling.
First up is shooting efficiency. With Durant now drawing the attention of opposing defenses, Smith should find himself with more open looks and less pressure to create in isolation. The target? “The goal would likely be for Smith to raise his overall shooting percentage to around fifty, and his ranged shooting number to about forty,” as one recent evaluation put it. That’s a tall order, but even incremental improvement in these areas could be a game-changer for Houston’s offense. The presence of Durant, one of the league’s most feared scorers, means Smith can focus on taking high-quality shots and letting the game come to him.
Defense has always been a calling card for Smith. His length, instincts, and versatility make him a valuable asset on that end of the floor. However, with the Rockets’ center rotation now featuring Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and the newly added Clint Capela—none of whom are known as elite rim protectors—Smith’s ability to help block shots and protect the paint has become even more critical. “Furthering his ability to help block shots and protect the rim on the weak-side would be a massive boost for the Rockets next season,” analysts have noted. If Smith can take that next step defensively, Houston’s frontcourt could quickly become one of the league’s most formidable units.
Perhaps the biggest question mark for Smith is his ball-handling. Even dating back to his pre-draft days, handling the rock has been his Achilles’ heel. While he’s athletic, can defend, and hit shots, his limited dribbling ability has sometimes relegated him to a more restricted offensive role—scoring in transition, knocking down open threes, and playing tough defense. But this summer, Rockets fans have been buzzing about Smith’s offseason work. Social media posts from July 26, 2025, show him "in the lab working on his handles," and there’s growing optimism that he could unlock a new dimension to his game. "If Smith Jr. truly can improve to the point of slicing down the lane with the ball in-hand, or adding even more tough jumpers to his arsenal with dribble moves, that would likely put him into the star tier," reads one assessment. The potential is tantalizing.
Smith’s development isn’t just a subplot; it’s central to Houston’s championship aspirations. As Michael Pina put it in an August 29, 2025, social media post, Smith is even being picked as a "comeback player of the year" candidate. With the Rockets’ roster deeper and more versatile than ever, there’s a sense that the stars are aligning for a special run.
Of course, the Western Conference remains a gauntlet. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a title run, are the only team ranked ahead of Houston in the preseason power rankings. Until someone knocks them off, they’re the favorites. But the Rockets’ rise has been accelerated by the struggles of last year’s top teams in the East. The Boston Celtics, who finished 61-21, are widely expected to regress after losing superstar Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles and trading away veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday for cap relief. The Cleveland Cavaliers, last season’s No. 1 seed at 64-18, are also facing uncertainty after a disappointing playoff exit and the departure of sharpshooter Ty Jerome to Memphis in free agency.
All of this adds up to a golden opportunity for Houston. With training camps set to open in late September, the Rockets will enter the new season with sky-high expectations, a loaded roster, and a fan base hungry for playoff glory. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, but as the league landscape shifts, Houston’s bold moves and youthful energy have positioned them as a genuine contender.
As the countdown to tipoff continues, all eyes will be on the Rockets to see if they can turn promise into hardware. One thing’s for sure: in Houston, the future has never looked brighter—or more exciting.
