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Alperen Sengün • C • Rockets

Alperen Sengun Works on Three-Point Shot

Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun said corner threes are the shot he most wants to add this season. The 24-year-old is working with shooting coach Chip Engelland and believes confidence is a major part of improving from deep. Sengun attempted only seven corner threes last season while shooting 30.5 percent from beyond the arc overall. He still averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, so three-point shooting remains one of the few holes in his fantasy game. If Sengun can knock down a few more corner threes, it would give defenses one more thing to worry about. His fantasy value, though, will still be driven by the scoring, rebounding, and playmaking he already provides.

Yesterday

Fred VanVleet • PG • Rockets

Fred VanVleet Faces Early Minutes Limit

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) isn't expected to play both ends of back-to-backs to begin the season, while any minutes restriction will depend on how he progresses through training camp, according to head coach Ime Udoka. The 32-year-old missed all of last season after tearing his right ACL during an offseason workout. In his last healthy campaign, VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 threes while shooting 37.8 percent from the field. The steals and perimeter shooting still offer fantasy value, but the early workload management lowers his volume. Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart could see additional ball-handling opportunities whenever VanVleet sits.

2 days ago

Steven Adams • C • Rockets

Steven Adams Expected to Sit One Leg of Back-to-Backs Early

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) isn't expected to play both ends of back-to-backs to start the season, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Head coach Ime Udoka added that any minutes limit will depend on how Adams progresses through training camp. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending left ankle surgery in January after averaging 5.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes across 32 games. His 4.5 offensive rebounds per game remain his biggest fantasy calling card, but the early workload management will limit his volume. Clint Capela could see additional backup-center work whenever Adams sits.

2 days ago

Steven Adams • C • Rockets

Steven Adams Still Working Back From Ankle Surgery

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) remains in the recovery process after undergoing season-ending surgery in January. "There's a lot of bones down there mate, it's pretty complicated," Adams said at media day, according to the Houston Chronicle's Varun Shankar. The 33-year-old played only 32 games last season but remained a strong presence on the glass, averaging 8.6 rebounds, including 4.5 offensive boards, in 22.8 minutes. His availability will be worth monitoring throughout camp and the preseason. If Adams needs more time, Clint Capela could handle additional backup-center minutes behind Alperen Sengun. Adams remains mainly a rebounding specialist for fantasy purposes.

5 days ago

Clint Capela • C • Rockets

Clint Capela Trims Down Ahead of Rockets Camp

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela said he focused on mobility this offseason and dropped his body fat by four percent, according to Ben DuBose of USA Today's Rockets Wire. "It feels great to have abs looking good," the 32-year-old joked at media day. Capela averaged 3.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 12.3 minutes across 75 games last season, with 2.1 offensive rebounds per game. Steven Adams (ankle) remains without a firm return timetable after January surgery, which could create extra backup-center minutes for Capela behind Alperen Sengun. His fantasy appeal remains limited, but he could provide rebounds and blocks if Adams misses time.

5 days ago

Kevin Durant • PF • Rockets

Kevin Durant Pushes Back on Rockets' Plan to Trim His Minutes

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant isn't eager to see his workload reduced this season after the team discussed cutting back his minutes. "The team is better when I'm on the court," Durant said at Tuesday's media day, adding that he wants to remain available when games require it. The 37-year-old logged 2,840 minutes last season, second most in the NBA, while averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 78 games. Durant did acknowledge that Houston taking care of games early could lead to more rest. A modest reduction shouldn't significantly hurt his fantasy appeal, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. could pick up some additional frontcourt minutes.

5 days ago

Fred VanVleet • PG • Rockets

Fred VanVleet to Skip Back-to-Backs Early in Season

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will not play in back-to-backs initially this season, head coach Ime Udoka said Tuesday. The good news is that VanVleet "looks good" and is taking part in full-contact, five-on-five work as he returns from the torn ACL that cost him all of 2025-26. The 32-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on 37.8 percent shooting in his last healthy season. Reed Sheppard should have more opportunities to handle the offense whenever VanVleet rests, while Marcus Smart gives Houston another veteran option in the backcourt.

6 days ago

Fred VanVleet • PG • Rockets

Fred VanVleet Ramps Up Contact Work

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) has taken another step in his ramp-up before training camp, according to Brian Barefield of Big Sarge Media. Head coach Ime Udoka said VanVleet has "really ramped it up" while rehabbing in San Diego and has progressed to back-to-back work and contact activity. That builds on VanVleet's earlier expectation that he would be ready for the preseason opener, but Houston still has camp and exhibition games to gauge his workload. If he avoids a setback, VanVleet's return would tighten Reed Sheppard's path to usage after the young guard averaged 13.5 points on 43.0 percent shooting across 82 games last season.

Sep 14

Steven Adams • C • Rockets

Steven Adams Eyes Healthy Start with Rockets

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) appears on track to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season. "We're tracking that way," Adams told New Zealand's Weekend Sport with Jason Pine when asked in August about his availability, according to ESPN's Michael C. Wright. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending left ankle surgery in January after playing 32 games last season, averaging 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes. Adams is not a scoring option, but his offensive rebounding remains the fantasy hook after Houston ranked No. 1 on the offensive glass in both of his first two seasons with the team. Wright also notes the Rockets have ranked in the top three in second-chance points for two straight years. Adams should revive Houston's double-big looks with Alperen Sengun, leaving Clint Capela's path to steady backup minutes less secure.

Sep 10

Fred VanVleet • PG • Rockets

Fred VanVleet Targets Preseason Return for Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) expects to be on the floor in October when Houston opens the preseason in Macao, China, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Wright notes that VanVleet has been back on the court "full-time, ramping up, feeling good" after missing all of 2025-26 with a torn right ACL. His return should restore some late-game organization for a team that struggled when defenses loaded up on Kevin Durant. VanVleet averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers in his last healthy season, though the 37.8 percent shooting still hurts. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard gained valuable reps in his absence, but VanVleet profiles as the chief setup man for Durant and Alperen Sengun if he avoids setbacks.

Sep 10

Amen Thompson • SG • Rockets

Amen Thompson Agrees to Five-Year Extension with Houston

Houston Rockets guard/forward Amen Thompson agreed to a five-year, $208 million rookie-scale extension with the franchise, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a 10 percent trade kicker and locks in one of Houston's core pieces after Thompson led the NBA in minutes last season. The 23-year-old logged 37.4 minutes per game across 79 starts while averaging career highs of 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. That workload remains the fantasy hook. Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun will command touches, but Thompson's rebounding, defensive production, and ball-handling role keep him firmly valuable. The jumper is still the swing skill, so his ceiling rises only if the shooting catches up.

Sep 3

Rafael Castro • PF • Rockets

Rafael Castro Signs Two-Way Deal with Rockets

The Houston Rockets announced Wednesday that they signed rookie center Rafael Castro to a two-way contract and waived guard Tristen Newton in a corresponding move. Castro went undrafted after a redshirt senior season at George Washington and later played for Milwaukee's California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League teams. Across 63 starts over his final two college seasons, he averaged 14.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. With Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Clint Capela ahead of him, Castro projects for heavy Rio Grande Valley time and is not a fantasy target.

Aug 27

Sean Pedulla • PG • Rockets

Sean Pedulla Signs Two-Way Deal with Rockets

The Houston Rockets announced that they've signed guard Sean Pedulla to a two-way deal on Monday. Pedulla was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month. He made seven appearances with the Clippers last season, but spent most of his time in the G-League. Pedulla is the reigning G-League Rookie of the Year, averaging 23.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. The 23-year-old is expected to spend most of his time in the G-League with the Rockets. He's unlikely to see much time on the NBA court unless there's a handful of injuries. Pedulla is avoidable in fantasy formats, but maybe they can develop him into a decent player.

Aug 17

Alperen Sengün • C • Rockets

Alperen Sengun's Efficiency Could Climb

Houston Rockets forward/center Alperen Sengun should benefit from Fred VanVleet's expected return, with The Dream Shake's Lachard Binkley writing that Sengun may gain the most from having Houston's floor general back. VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right ACL, leaving Sengun to carry more of the offense as a scorer, passer, rebounder, and late-clock option. The two-time All-Star still averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks across 72 games. VanVleet's return could trim Sengun's assists, but easier touches, cleaner entry passes, and less creation burden should help his efficiency. He remains one of the safer early-round fantasy centers.

Aug 8

Amen Thompson • SG • Rockets

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.

Aug 7

Kevin Durant • PF • Rockets

Kevin Durant Targets Team USA Return

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant wants to play for Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, per Evan Sidery. Durant, 37, has already played in the last four Olympics and became the first American men's basketball player to win four gold medals, so a 2028 appearance would add another historic layer to his Team USA resume. He is not fading yet, either, earning All-NBA Second Team honors after averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and shooting 41.3 percent from three for Houston. The Olympic note is not actionable for fantasy, but it reinforces Durant's staying power. He remains an early-round fantasy forward for scoring, threes, and elite percentages, with age and durability as the main risks.

Aug 5

Julian Phillips • SF • Rockets

Julian Phillips Signs Training Camp Deal With Rockets

The Houston Rockets signed forward Julian Phillips to a training camp contract, the team announced. The 35th pick in the 2023 draft, Phillips lands his third NBA home after Minnesota declined his option in June, months removed from the February trade that sent him from Chicago to the Timberwolves. Still 22, the explosive athlete has never found a role, averaging 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds across 167 career games. His deal is reportedly non-guaranteed, leaving him to compete for one of Houston's final roster spots. A career 32.0 percent three-point shooter, Phillips has yet to show a bankable fantasy skill, leaving him off the radar unless he first wins a roster spot and steady minutes.

Jul 26

Oscar Tshiebwe • PF • Rockets

Oscar Tshiebwe Signs With Rockets

The Houston Rockets signed free-agent forward Oscar Tshiebwe on Friday. The details of the deal weren't announced, but it's assumed that it's a one-year deal worth the league minimum. Tshiebwe has spent each of the last two seasons as a member of the Utah Jazz. Last season, Tshiebwe averaged 7.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 16.6 minutes per game in 27 contests. He has been in the league for three years, but has yet to surpass 50 total games played in the league. This looks to be mainly a depth move by the Rockets. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Tshiebwe to make an impact unless there are a few injuries.

Jul 24

Jae'Sean Tate • SF • Rockets

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.

Jul 23

Bruce Thornton • PG • Rockets

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.

Jul 12

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