Lots of thoughts about that first half, but most of all is that it is so great to have hoops back!

One of the greats. Congrats on a fantastic run and best wishes for all that comes next.

A terrific read from @danielle-lerner.bsky.social about members of the Rockets coaching staff, the history they share and how they traveled from Portland to Ime Udoka's bench in Houston.

Confirmed the Rockets have signed Josh Okogie to fill their 14th roster spot, on a veteran minimum one-year deal: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Except for a decade's worth of hard-earned advancement. I suspect you will need to tell of her next chapter sooner than 10 years from now.

A terrific feature from @danielle-lerner.bsky.social. I've enjoyed watching Lindsey Harding's rise through the coaching ranks since I wrote about her aspirations 10 years ago. www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke... Looking forward to where they will take her in the years to come.

Rockets shutting down Reed Sheppard for rest of NBA summer league Reed Sheppard has some calf soreness but decision to stop his play in NBA summer league is purely precautionary.

Story on Rockets guard Reed Sheppard being held out for the rest of Las Vegas summer league www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Why Dorian Finney-Smith thinks he's a 'perfect fit' for Rockets Dorian Finney-Smith, who turned down an option to stay with Lakers, says he values the hard-nosed identity Ime Udoka has created in Houston.

Dorian Finney-Smith joined his new teammates at summer league on Sunday. He shared with me why he thinks he's a "perfect fit" for the Rockets and Ime Udoka's style of play: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

'I want to be here for rest of my career.' Jabari Smith Jr. on new Rockets' deal Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick by the Rockets in the 2022 draft, signed a five-year extension and is optimistic about his future in Houston.

“I want to be here for the rest of my career.”

Talked to Jabari Smith Jr. about why he signed a five-year extension with the Rockets, playing with Kevin Durant, offseason workouts and more: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Reed Sheppard shines as Rockets drop summer league opener to Clippers The second-year guard had 28 points and also played strong defense as he helped Houston rally from a double-digit deficit.

Takeaways from the Rockets’ first summer league game including Reed Sheppard’s two-way performance, his chemistry with Kennedy Chandler, and Houston’s large courtside contingent: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Jalen Green says he wasn't surprised by trade to Suns Jalen Green said Rockets 'been trying to trade me since last year' and is looking forward to playing with Suns.

NEW: I caught up with Jalen Green courtside in Vegas as he watched his new team, the Suns.

Green said he wasn’t surprised the Rockets traded him, but said “I’m not tripping.”

More: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Nate Williams, a NBA summer league veteran, excited to compete in Vegas Nate Williams and Reed Sheppard are the only players on the Rockets' roster playing in summer league. Williams isn't sweating his non-guaranteed contract.

Summer league veteran Nate Williams is back in Vegas with the Rockets.

He’s not sweating his non-guaranteed salary. He’s excited to put on a show.

“I really don't worry about all that stuff. I just work hard and come to play and have fun.” www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Rockets waive center Jock Landale to cut payroll after offseason additions Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela were expensive additions for Houston, but waiving Jock Landale saves the Rockets $8 million in salary.

The Rockets have waived Jock Landale, source confirms.

As I reported yesterday, an expected move that gets Houston under the first apron. Landale’s path to playing time wasn’t getting any easier with the Rockets’ center depth (Şengün, Adams, Capela).

www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

How the Rockets' trade for Kevin Durant changed Houston's offseason trajectory A few days into NBA free agency, the Rockets’ acquisition of Kevin Durant, as well as Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, represents a seismic shift in Houston’s methodology under GM Rafael...

The Rockets' splashy offseason moves are a departure from the continuity inclined approach Rafael Stone extolled less than two months ago. Then the Kevin Durant trade changed everything.

More on what led to the shift and what's next for Houston: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

5 players the Rockets could consider as NBA free agency begins The Rockets have spending power and are on the hunt for 3-point shooting and defense in the NBA free agent market, which includes Lakers' Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Rockets are on the hunt for a depth piece to upgrade their roster with 3-point shooting and defense. Five players who Houston could target in NBA free agency: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Rockets lock up another piece of their future in Jabari Smith Jr. Jabari Smith Jr.'s extension, worth $122 million over five years, signals the Rockets' commitment to the 22-year-old forward.

Story on Jabari Smith Jr.'s massive contract extension, cementing him as part of the Rockets' young core and Houston's bright future: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

While appreciating the heart and fortitude the Pacers showed tonight (and many times before,) no need to asterisk the OKC title. The league's best team all season had to earn the championship, and is entirely worthy. Still, would have been nice to have Game 7 at full strength.

Rockets acquire Kevin Durant for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and draft picks Houston acquires former Texas star for package that includes Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and No. 10 pick in this year's draft

The blockbuster trade of the summer is here. Kevin Durant is a Rocket.

Can confirm that the Rockets are sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a haul of draft picks (including 2025 No. 10 pick) to the Suns for KD. Story: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Houston Rockets extend coach Ime Udoka's contract after playoff run The Rockets hired Ime Udoka to lead the final stage of the team's rebuild. He delivered a 41-win first season, then 52 wins with a playoff appearance in 2024-25

The Houston Rockets awarded Ime Udoka a multi-year contract extension, source confirms to the Chronicle. In his 2nd season with the Rockets, Udoka was a 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year finalist, won 52 games and took Houston to the playoffs.

More to come: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Rockets to keep center Steven Adams in first big move of offseason Steven Adams was a key part of Houston's big lineup in playoffs against Golden  State and will be returning to Rockets

Steven Adams has agreed to return to the Houston Rockets on a three-year contract, his agent as well as a team source confirmed to the Chronicle. Deal becomes official in July.

ESPN first. www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

'One playoff series doesn't define a player.' Rockets' brass on Jalen Green Golden State took Jalen Green out of Houston's offense in seven-game playoff series but Rockets' executives see it as a chance to grow.

'One playoff series doesn't define a player,' Rockets GM Rafael Stone said about Jalen Green www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone 'optimistic' about Fred VanVleet Houston's option on Fred VanVleet's contract for next season is for $44.5 million. Guard has indicated he wants to stay with Rockets.

From @jonmalexander.bsky.social: Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone 'optimistic' about Fred VanVleet's return www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

How do Houston Rockets take next step in NBA: continuity or change? Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone says bar is 'very high' to make changes but leaves door open if right move is there to improve.

To improve for next season, do the Houston Rockets make a major move or bet once more on the current roster's growth?

“Continuity is great, but the goal ultimately is to build a championship team," Rafael Stone said Tuesday.

On continuity vs. change:
www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

But, the draft lottery is a week from tomorrow...

Rockets are not winning post-season games, never mind a Game 7, with Sengun inefficient and Green invisible. That said, they did enough this season to have wanted, even expected to do more. That makes it hurt, but also a another significant step toward better days.

Live updates: Follow Game 7 of Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Houston has rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the best-of-seven NBA series. Can the Rockets complete the comeback?

The Houston Rockets' resurgent season comes to an end in a 103-89 Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Rockets 115, Warriors 107: How Houston forced a Game 7 The Rockets dominated the fourth quarter to beat Golden State for a second game in a row and force a deciding seventh game in Houston on Sunday.

Game 7 is coming. www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

As great a coach as there has ever been, but when I think of Pop, I think first of how deeply he cares about others. Those that know him best (and much better than I) speak of that even more than the coaching.

Rockets 131, Warriors 116: How Houston hung on to win Game 5 and stay alive The Rockets started with a 20-8 run and led by as many as 31 but had to hold on in fourth quarter to stay alive in Game 5 vs. Golden State.

The Rockets staved off elimination and a late collapse to win 131-116 in Game 5, shrinking Golden State’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 3-2 and ensuring a Game 6 on Friday in San Francisco.

Instant analysis: www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rocke...

Driven to succeed: How Jalen Green learned from Stephen Curry Rockets rookie took advantage of early morning workouts with Warriors star to learn what...

Jalen Green mentioned his workouts with Stephen Curry while "growing up." They had some friendly exchanges tonight after scrambling for loose balls. If interested, wrote about those practices when Green was a Rockets rookie. www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports...