The Houston Rockets journey began in February 2021, marked by the trade of former MVP James Harden. Despite his departure, Harden’s influence has subtly lingered over the franchise.
Over the past few years, a mutual interest in reunion has been evident, according to team sources and individuals close to Harden. This potential reunion was first considered in 2023 when the organization opted to sign Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $130 million contract, rather than pursue Harden after his failure to secure a maximum contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. A second opportunity arose this season, as Harden’s representatives explored the Rockets’ interest following the Los Angeles Clippers’ tumultuous 2-6 start. Post-VanVleet’s injury, a reunion with their former point guard seemed increasingly logical, especially with Houston’s heightened contention aspirations after acquiring Durant and Harden’s continued high-level play.
However, the Rockets once again bypassed this option, despite the significant void at point guard. While their regard for Harden remained strong, concerns lingered about his potential impact on the development of Sengun, Sheppard, and Thompson. “We’re not really looking for a heliocentric player, as great as James still is,” one team source stated. “We want to develop Reed, we want to develop Amen and we want the ball in Alpy’s hands.” Another added, “We weren’t going to put the ball in [Harden’s] hands, so why would you trade for James if you’re not going to give him the ball?”
This decision cast a long shadow throughout the season and into the first-round playoff series, where the young players exhibited flashes of brilliance interspersed with moments of costly decision-making and poor shooting. Sheppard, in particular, struggled significantly in the Rockets’ losses, shooting a dismal 16-for-64 while managing 11-for-24 in their two wins. His defensive lapses in Game 1 led to limited playing time in Game 2, and a critical turnover in Game 3 contributed to a late-game collapse. Despite these struggles, Sheppard’s late-game steal in Game 5 secured a crucial win, though he faltered again in Game 6, shooting just 4-for-19.
The Rockets have consistently backed Sheppard, drafting him third overall in 2024, ahead of eventual Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Internally, there’s a strong belief in his potential to become an all-time great, akin to Steve Nash, given time and the right environment. Externally, however, opinions vary, with one rival scout quipping, “More like Steve Kerr,” envisioning him as a reserve shooting guard rather than a primary ball-handler. VanVleet’s role was intended to provide Sheppard with more developmental time, but the Rockets remain confident in Sheppard’s temperament to navigate the challenges of his burgeoning career.
The analysis of Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. is further complicated by leaked direct messages from an X profile allegedly belonging to Durant. These messages, which surfaced during All-Star weekend, questioned Sengun’s shooting and defense and Smith’s intelligence. One post read, “Ima turn the ball over with this s—ty ass team. Idgaf. Your franchise player can’t shoot or defend. That’s a wayyyyyyy bigger problem than my turnovers. Remember, these guys are your future.” Another stated, “I can’t trust Jabari to make a f—ing shot or get a stop. …” The posts also referenced Durant’s former coach Steve Kerr and teammates Stephen Curry and Devin Booker, and even expressed a longing for Harden: “I miss James man. … Slightly delusional, but I understand him.”
While Durant publicly dismissed the messages as “Twitter nonsense,” team sources indicated the organization took them seriously. Following the All-Star break, Durant addressed the situation with his teammates, which sources described as a “team discussion” that evolved into addressing other simmering team issues. “I’ve heard that there were a couple people who were bothered by what he said on the burner account but none of them were in our locker room,” one Rockets source noted, suggesting that younger players are accustomed to social media’s pitfalls and likely have thicker skin from locker room interactions with players like Steven Adams and coach Ime Udoka.
Despite these controversies, strong play in the final month of the regular season fueled playoff hopes, especially against an injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers team. However, the Rockets’ first-round exit echoed criticisms from the alleged burner account. Sengun’s defense was a factor in the early losses, as was Smith’s crucial turnover in Game 3. Durant’s own struggles, including nine turnovers in Game 2 and his absence from the bench in Game 3 due to a bone bruise, drew renewed scrutiny. Yet, internal sources maintained that his absence from the bench was understood due to his rehabilitation efforts.
Durant ultimately did not return from his ankle injury for the series. Coach Udoka acknowledged Durant’s value, stating, “It’s nights like this where guys are struggling, you want a 25-, 26-point scorer with his efficiency and the way he does it to avoid some of these nights when other guys are struggling.”
The Houston Rockets entered the season under immense expectations following the trade for Durant, a polarizing future Hall of Famer. Despite his two-year extension, which includes a player option for 2027-28, management insists on viewing the franchise beyond the 37-year-old star. The Durant acquisition, which occurred as his former team clinched a championship in 2025, was a calculated move, not an act of desperation. Houston strategically waited for an opportune moment, trading Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 pick, aiming to contend without compromising their long-term future. This season, however, that ambition fell short.
The path forward remains uncertain, with questions surrounding whether the team can achieve its goals with Durant or if a post-Durant era will be necessary. “A lot of guys had a ton of improvement, no doubt,” Udoka admitted, “but our expectations were much higher than 52 [wins].” The team faces significant challenges in a competitive conference, with juggernauts like Oklahoma City and San Antonio poised for sustained success. Udoka emphasized that relying solely on the return of the veteran duo VanVleet and Adams, both recovering from major injuries, is not a viable strategy.
While the organization believes in the continued development of its young core, Houston must address critical needs, particularly shooting, as they ranked 24th in 3-point makes and 28th in attempts. Additionally, the Rockets must navigate contract negotiations with restricted free agent Tari Eason, who previously turned down a substantial contract extension. Speculation is rife regarding potential blockbuster trades for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, or Donovan Mitchell, given Houston’s ample draft capital and young talent. However, a high-ranking source stressed the organization’s preference for organic growth, drawing parallels to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship model: “We aren’t thinking, ‘We’ve got to win now because we’re in KD’s window.’ We are hyperfocused on our young core. Our five guys have a chance to win a lot of games together for a long time. We don’t want to make the mistake other teams have of giving up on guys too soon. We want a 10-year run.”
