VanVleet's Return Sparks Rockets' Ambitions: Can They Make 'Real Noise'?
The Houston Rockets are poised for a significant leap this season, with Coach Ime Udoka expressing a collective hunger to move beyond past first-round exits. The healthy return of key veterans Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, coupled with young player development and new additions, fuels optimism, even as Kevin Durant pushes back on potential minute reductions.
The Houston Rockets enter the new season with a familiar problem and a different solution: they need to turn regular-season success into a deeper playoff run.
Houston won 52 games for a second consecutive season in 2025-26 but was eliminated in the first round again. At Tuesday's media day, coach Ime Udoka acknowledged that the team had plateaued and said the goal now is to make “some real noise.”
One of the biggest changes is the return of Fred VanVleet.
VanVleet gives Houston its ballhandler back
VanVleet missed the entire 2025-26 season after tearing his right ACL last September. Without the veteran guard, Houston shared ballhandling duties among Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard, while turnovers became a persistent problem.
The Rockets ranked 24th in the NBA in turnovers, averaging 14.4 per game, and allowed 18.8 points per game off those turnovers.
VanVleet, who has not played since May 2025, has now been cleared for five-on-five work and has taken part in scrimmages. The former All-Star said he feels good about his recovery while recognising that returning to game form will take time.
“Considering 12 months ago I wasn't able to walk at this point in the year, I'd say I'm doing pretty good right now,” he said.
His return also restores a veteran presence to a team that relied heavily on younger players last season.
Adams' return matters too
Steven Adams is also back after an ankle injury ended his season in January. He played only 32 games before undergoing surgery.
His availability could help restore one of Houston's biggest strengths. The Rockets led the NBA in offensive rebounding in each of the previous two seasons when Adams was regularly controlling the paint.
Adams said he is pleased to be back but understands that being cleared to play is different from reaching full NBA form.
That caution is relevant for Houston. The team needs both veterans healthy, but it also needs them to remain effective through a long season.
Young core gets another year
Houston is also counting on its younger players to take another step.
Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. all gained experience during last season's difficult stretch. General manager Rafael Stone said their increased confidence was one of the positives to come from the campaign.
The Rockets also added veteran depth, including Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic, giving Udoka more options around his established core.
Kevin Durant, meanwhile, is entering his second season in Houston after averaging 36.4 minutes per game last season at age 37.
Udoka and Stone have indicated they would like to manage his workload more carefully. Durant disagrees with the idea that his age should automatically limit his minutes.
“I’m better on the court. The team is better when I’m on the court,” he said.
The expectation has changed
Houston has already shown it can win games in the regular season. The unresolved issue is what happens when the playoffs arrive.
VanVleet and Adams give the team two experienced players who were unavailable for much of last season. Durant now has a full year in Houston behind him, while several younger players have another season of development.
That gives the Rockets a different starting point.
The challenge is straightforward: 52 wins and another first-round exit will not represent meaningful progress. Houston now has to turn its depth, health and growing young core into playoff results.