Houston Rockets Build Contender Roster Despite Ball-Handling Concerns

The Houston Rockets have made significant offseason moves, adding size and elite shooting with Kevin Durant while relying on a core of young talent like Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and Fred VanVleet for ball-handling duties, though some question whether their backcourt depth is sufficient. Despite some concerns about their ball-handling options, the Rockets are viewed as a strong future contender, ranking third among NBA teams with the best long-term outlook, thanks to promising young players and valuable first-round draft picks. The Rockets’ blend of veteran experience and youth positions them well both for immediate success and sustained competitiveness. Meanwhile, NBA offseason grades highlight the Rockets and Orlando Magic as teams that transformed into conference contenders, with most other teams falling into average categories. Contrasting with this optimism are NBA teams with bleak long-term outlooks, such as the Bulls, Raptors, and Blazers, who have some playoff potential but face challenges in roster construction and cap management. Overall, the Rockets exemplify a franchise balancing a win-now mentality with a strong developmental foundation, illustrating different trajectories among NBA teams entering the 2025-26 season.