The Houston Rockets are positioning themselves as a meaningful contender for the upcoming NBA season, boasting a roster that includes established stars and promising young talent. With Kevin Durant leading the charge, alongside alperen Sengun, Fred vanvleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Steven Adams, Clint Capela, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Reed Sheppard, the team appears well-equipped for a deep playoff run.
Further bolstering thier depth, the Rockets also have valuable fringe contributors such as aaron Holiday and Jae’Sean Tate, ready to step in when needed. This level of depth is crucial in the modern NBA, where injuries are a common occurrence, providing Houston with a significant advantage in maintaining competitive play throughout the season.
While the Rockets are recognized for their impressive roster depth, the Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a championship, present a formidable challenge.The Thunder feature a star-studded trio in MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, complemented by a strong supporting cast including Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, Kenrich Williams, and Jaylin Williams. Oklahoma City is widely considered the league’s top team and a strong candidate to repeat as champions.
However, the article suggests that Houston may hold a slight edge in overall depth, even if their top-tier talent doesn’t quite match Oklahoma City’s. The Denver Nuggets also appear to be strengthening their position, having added Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas to a core led by Nikola Jokic, arguably the best player in the world. While Denver’s star power may negate the need for extreme depth, their recent acquisitions provide them with a more robust roster.
Beyond these top contenders,teams like the Los Angeles Clippers,San Antonio Spurs,Cleveland Cavaliers,New York Knicks,and Orlando Magic are also expected to vie for the 2025-26 title. Nevertheless, few teams can match the combination of depth and talent that the Rockets bring into the season, a fact reflected in their second-best odds to win the NBA Finals.
The Rockets are currently concluding their Summer League schedule with a game at 4:30 p.m. CT, after which their focus will fully shift to preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
