RADIO
Amen Thompson Eyes Below-Max Extension with Rockets
Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson is expected to sign a rookie-scale extension before the 2026-27 season begins, though a full five-year, $250 million max deal is not expected, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. Siegel wrote that a deal between 20 and 22 percent of the salary cap, worth roughly $200 million total, would make more sense for Houston. The 23-year-old broke out last season, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals across 79 games. He was already a 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team selection, and the fantasy appeal is clear: rebounds, assists, steals, and efficiency. The jumper still caps the ceiling, but Thompson is trending toward early-round value.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
JD Davison Waived by Rockets
The Houston Rockets waived guard JD Davison, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The move cuts Davison loose after Houston picked up his non-guaranteed 2026-27 option earlier this offseason, and the Houston Chronicle notes it also gets the team back under the luxury-tax threshold. Davison, 23, averaged just 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 28 games for the Rockets last season, though he remains more intriguing in developmental settings after winning 2024-25 G-League MVP. His speed and playmaking could earn him another two-way look elsewhere, but he is nowhere near redraft relevance.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Bruce Thornton Swipes Five Steals Against Raptors
Houston Rockets guard Bruce Thornton tallied 17 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five steals in 32 minutes during Saturday's 102-89 Summer League loss to Toronto. Thornton opened Summer League with 27 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals against Denver, giving him two straight productive outings with defensive activity. The No. 31 overall pick shot just 6-for-17, but the assists and steals are more important for his fantasy case. After averaging 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists at Ohio State, Thornton looks like a polished guard who could push for backup minutes if the creation translates.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Bruce Thornton Scores 27 Points in Rockets Summer League Win
Houston Rockets guard Bruce Thornton tallied 27 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals across 35 minutes in Friday's 97-86 Summer League win over the Denver Nuggets. The No. 31 pick led Houston in scoring and helped the Rockets pull away with a 29-19 fourth quarter. Thornton's shot volume was high, but he went 7-for-7 at the free-throw line and added defensive production, which matters for his fantasy profile. The rookie still faces a tough climb to regular-season value, though his scoring polish and on-ball reps make him worth tracking this summer.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Bruce Thornton Signs Four-Year Deal With Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Bruce Thornton signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal that includes one fully guaranteed season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 31 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft provides Houston with another sturdy backcourt option after a decorated four-year run at Ohio State. Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a senior while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from the three-point range. Although he was an elite collegiate scorer, his immediate path to playing time is firmly blocked. With Fred VanVleet returning to a crowded depth chart that also features rising guard Reed Sheppard, Thornton will likely have to fight to secure consistent reserve minutes.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Marcus Smart Signs With Rockets to Reunite With Ime Udoka
Veteran guard Marcus Smart is joining the Houston Rockets on a two-year, $13 million deal with a player option, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The move reunites him with Ime Udoka, who coached him to Defensive Player of the Year in Boston. Smart declined his Lakers option after a bounce-back year, starting 54 of 62 games and averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. Houston hands him runway, especially early as Fred VanVleet works back from a torn ACL. Smart's fantasy pull is in steals and assists, making him a category-league target more than a standard-league scorer.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Fred VanVleet Opts Into $25 Million Option to Stay with Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet is opting into his $25 million player option for 2026-27, Rich Paul tells ESPN's Shams Charania. VanVleet missed all of last season after tearing his right ACL, and he returns to a backcourt that changed without him. Reed Sheppard broke out as the lead guard, posting 13.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 39.0 percent from deep, so VanVleet reclaiming point guard reps caps Sheppard's third-year leap. At 32 and a year removed from a major injury, VanVleet is a wait-and-see fantasy pick behind Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
