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Jae'Sean Tate Lands Partially Guaranteed Deal With Rockets
The Houston Rockets and forward Jae'Sean Tate have agreed to a one-year, $3.07 million deal, partially guaranteed for $1.04 million, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, keeping the veteran with the only NBA franchise he has known. The partial guarantee tells the story: this is a fringe-roster, camp-battle deal, not a rotation promise. A versatile defender and respected locker-room presence, Tate has watched his role vanish on a loaded Rockets contender, averaging a career-low 8.8 minutes last season while spending time in the G League. With Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. among the forwards ahead of him, there is no runway here. Tate carries no fantasy value and would need a rash of injuries to surface even in the deepest leagues.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Rockets Hire Shooting Guru Chip Engelland for Ime Udoka's Staff
The Houston Rockets are hiring respected shooting coach Chip Engelland for head coach Ime Udoka's staff, per Shams Charania of ESPN, reuniting the two after their long run together in San Antonio. Engelland spent the last four years in Oklahoma City and built his reputation over two decades remaking NBA jumpers. His arrival offers a significant developmental boost for Houston's young core. The clearest beneficiary is Amen Thompson, an elite athlete and defender whose lone weakness is his outside shot: even modest gains there would push the ascending guard toward the next fantasy tier. Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. also stand to gain from a specialist who has spent a career turning non-shooters into threats, making this a quietly meaningful hire for anyone banking on a leap from the Rockets' youth.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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
Dorian Finney-Smith Moved to Charlotte
Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith was traded to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. According to Shams Charania, Finney-Smith will go to Charlotte in exchange for three second-round picks. The veteran forward still has three years left on his deal, with the final year being a $13.3 million player option. The Rockets wanted to create cap space, which moving off Finney-Smith's contract certainly does for Houston. The veteran forward had a down year last season, but is normally a viable two-way player. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he shakes out in the rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tari Eason Re-Signs With Rockets on Five-Year Deal
Restricted free agent forward Tari Eason is staying in Houston, agreeing to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Rockets, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The pact is fully guaranteed and carries a fifth-year player option, rewarding one of the league's premier per-minute defenders. Eason posted 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes across 60 games, ranking 14th in the NBA in steal percentage while adding a career-high 93 threes at 35.8 percent. When healthy, he's a nine-category gem, elite in steals, blocks, and offensive rebounds, the kind of glue piece who returned sixth-round value on a per-game basis. Two things cap the fantasy ceiling: a left leg surgery history that has limited him to 139 games over three seasons and a usage crunch on a loaded roster now fronted by Kevin Durant and a rising Amen Thompson. Draft him for the defensive counting stats, but bake in the health and minutes risk.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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
Bogdan Bogdanovic Signs With Rockets on One-Year Deal
Free-agent guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Rockets, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The veteran gives Houston a proven perimeter scorer for his 10th NBA season, but last year was rough. Bogdanovic averaged just 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 23 games, well below his usual production. The Rockets are betting on his shooting track record, as he owns a 38.1% career mark from three. For fantasy purposes, Bogdanovic needs a healthy season and consistent bench volume to become more than a streaky scoring option.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tari Eason Receives $8.01 Million Qualifying Offer From Rockets
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason was tendered an $8.01 million qualifying offer and is now a restricted free agent, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reported, giving Houston the right to match any offer. The 6-foot-8 LSU product is the rare fantasy piece in this option-day shuffle, posting 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 25.8 minutes over 60 games, a stocks profile that plays in every format. The catch is durability: ankle and oblique strains held him to 60 games, and he has not topped that since his rookie year. He is a mid-round target when healthy, and a Kevin Durant trade would only widen his runway.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
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
Rockets Select Bruce Thornton at No. 31 in NBA Draft
The Houston Rockets have selected Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton with the 31st pick of the NBA Draft. Houston acquired this pick and No. 55 in a deal with the New York Knicks. The move to draft Thornton seems like a smart one, given their needs at the perimeter. Thornton spent all four seasons of his college ball playing at Ohio State. He averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists during his senior campaign this year. He should get a chance to immediately contribute, with Fred VanVleet (knee) still recovering from ACL surgery and Aaron Holiday heading to free agency. Thornton could see minutes right away in the backend of the rotation, but probably won't be a viable fantasy option to begin the season.
Source: Kelly Iko
Source: Kelly Iko
Kevin Durant Becomes First Player to Make All-NBA Team With Five Franchises
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has made history as the first player ever named to an All-NBA Team with five different franchises. On Sunday, he was announced as a 2025-26 All-NBA Second Team selection, joining Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks). The veteran star has also earned All-NBA honors with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. Overall, Durant now has 12 All-NBA selections, six on the First Team and six on the Second Team. Only six players in league history have earned more selections.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alperen Sengun Finishes Series with Double-Double Effort
Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun recorded 17 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 38 minutes during Friday's Game 6 loss to the Lakers, as Houston was eliminated 4-2. He struggled to convert efficiently but still led the team on the glass and finished near the top in scoring, notching his third double-double of the series. Sengun remains a high-usage centerpiece heading into next season, offering strong multi-category value. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. should continue in key roles, though Houston's offense will still lean heavily on Sengun's playmaking and interior presence.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Kevin Durant Officially Out for Game 6
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Initially, the team listed him as doubtful for the contest. However, media reports on Thursday already suggested that Durant won't be available on Friday night. His next chance to return will be on Sunday if Houston survives another elimination game. Reed Sheppard will continue to ride with the starters, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. have taken on extra work during Durant's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
