Between the additions of Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela to a team that previously finished at No. 2 in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets have had what most NBA observers believe to be a productive 2025 offseason.
How productive?
In a column on winners and losers from the league’s ongoing 2025 offseason, The Ringer’s Michael Pina offers his perspective:
I was extremely high on the Kevin Durant trade when it happened, I love Fred VanVleet’s new contract, and I think Jabari Smith Jr.’s extension may end up being the steal of his draft class. The addition of Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, though, gives Houston an embarrassment of riches. How did the Rockets construct this monstrous blend of experience, size, athleticism, and upside, while staying under the first apron? With all due respect to the Thunder, they may have the best defense in the league next season.
To Pina’s point, the Rockets were bringing back a top-five-rated defense from the team that finished 52-30 last season. Now, they add a 6-foot-11 All-Star and future Hall of Famer, a strong defensive wing, and a capable center that has started for the vast majority of his NBA career.
Talented young prospects such as Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard all remain in place, and each could reasonably improve over the offseason.
As the 2025-26 season looms in October, it’s a good starting point.
Winner: Atlanta’s new front office 😊
Loser: LeBron & Luka 🙁
Winner: Houston 😊
Loser: Milwaukee 🙁
Winner: Jokic’s new teammates 😊
Loser: Everything Sacramento 🙁 https://t.co/353cnHlq7W— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) July 3, 2025
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Embarrassment of riches’: The Ringer on Rockets’ 2025 offseason