2026 NBA Offseason: Rockets Confront Rising Costs After Back-to-Back First-Round Losses
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The Houston Rockets head into the 2026 offseason weighing salary pressures and lingering injury concerns after a second straight 52-win campaign ended with a first-round playoff defeat.
Rapid Rise, Sudden Stops
Houston’s rebuild produced a sharp climb in the Western Conference standings, with win totals jumping from 22 in 2022/23 to 41 in 2023/24 and 52 in both 2024/25 and 2025/26. Yet postseason success has been elusive. Last spring the No. 2 seed fell to Golden State in seven games; this year the Los Angeles Lakers ousted the Rockets while Kevin Durant was limited to one appearance because of knee and ankle injuries.
Durant Deal Delivers Mixed Results
Seeking a primary scorer, general manager Rafael Stone shipped Jalen Green, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 draft (Khaman Maluach) and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix for 12-time All-NBA forward Kevin Durant. The 37-year-old averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.9 blocks in 78 regular-season games (36.4 minutes), matching expectations before his postseason setback.
Key Veterans Sidetracked
The Rockets re-signed point guard Fred VanVleet to a two-year, $50 million deal, extended center Steven Adams and used the non-taxpayer mid-level exception on forward Dorian Finney-Smith. All three missed significant time:
- VanVleet: Tore ACL last September, missed entire season.
- Adams: Played 32 games before a December ankle ligament tear.
- Finney-Smith: Delayed debut after offseason ankle surgery, appeared in 37 quiet games.
Together the trio earned $51.8 million while contributing minimally.
Youthful Core Shows Progress
Despite the absences, Houston finished sixth in defensive rating and eighth in offensive rating. Forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and rookie guard Reed Sheppard made notable strides, while center Alperen Şengün, guard Amen Thompson and wing Tari Eason produced uneven results.
Financial Picture Tightening
With Durant under contract and multiple young players due for raises, team salary projects to climb sharply in 2026/27 and 2027/28. Stone has signaled confidence in the existing roster, attributing the club’s playoff shortcomings largely to health issues rather than roster construction.
The Rockets now enter the summer aiming to stay healthy, manage escalating costs and convert regular-season efficiency into postseason advancement.
Source: Hoops Rumors
