The 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone and Daryl Morey and the front office did not stand still.
The Rockets traded Clint Capela, Nene, Gerald Green and a first-round pick in a large four-team deal to acquire Robert Covington and Jordan Bell, then sent Bell to Memphis for forward Bruno Caboclo.
Why This Was Necessary
We’ve seen 50 games of the James Harden–Russell Westbrook pairing and the results of the trade are in:
This is the least-efficient offense of the D’Antoni Rockets era and, with the exception of the “Melo Rockets”, this is the least-efficient defense of the D’Antoni Rockets era.
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Not exactly the kind of impact you would expect when you give up a crucial piece/Hall of Famer, two future first-round picks and two future first-round pick swaps.
By now, it should be clear that simply plugging and playing Westbrook into the template of past Rocketball success, a model that didn’t require structural change, won’t work and is never going to work. This team as constructed was not a legitimate contender. It was obvious with every home loss. It was a good team but not a great one and it was not going to win an NBA title.
While it’s safe to say the Rockets drastically overpaid in the Westbrook trade, it doesn’t mean it’s a failure yet. One title would validate it all. The problem is that was not going to happen for the Rockets as they were — they have to make changes if they’re going to get back to the contender status they earned the past three seasons.
This trade gives them a chance.
The Rockets are taking a radical but smart approach to getting the skills of Harden and the strengths of Westbrook to mesh.
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Capela was a key cog in the machine during the Chris Paul years. He was vital as a screener, pick-and-roll lob threat and rim protector. He improved a great deal as a switching defender. If defenders stayed home on the shooters, Harden or Paul would isolate, break down their man and force Clint’s defender to commit, creating alleyoop opportunities often. The Rockets were 42-3 in the 2017-18 regular season when Capela, Harden and Paul all played and Capela’s role in that can’t be overstated.
With Westbrook’s inability to shoot threes, this system broke down — or at least wasn’t as well-oiled. Teams were doubling Harden more frequently, inviting Westbrook to do something from long range. Westbrook has only one scoring play that he hits at an above-average clip — shots in the restricted area. He could thrive in space with easy lanes to the hoop, but with two non-shooters on the floor, that space was limited.
So while many fans were yelling, “Don’t blame Westbrook! He got you 35!” they weren’t understanding how this all worked. To Russ’ credit, he is playing fine by his standards and has adjusted by abandoning his ineffective three-point shot and attacking the basket, but the overall impact is still felt. Clint filled his role well for years, but the Rockets are now married to Russ and they have to make this work.
By removing Clint, Westbrook can now be the lone Rocket on the floor with limited range. Yes, you lose the lob threat and that’s big. You lose defense and rebounding and that’s even bigger. These are things the Rockets are going to have bust their ass to make up because they’re going to be undersized every night.
But they have an identity now, a method to how they play that can maximize the skillset of their two star guards when both are on the floor. That’s what’s been missing. With four shooters around Westbrook, the likes of Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis can’t just loiter around the paint. The spacing that Westbrook needs to thrive on drives should be there and if they collapse protecting the rim, he’s a terrific passer and should find the shooters.
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In other words, this might just fit now.
“It just presented itself,” said Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni on making the deal. “Clint got hurt. We have Russ, who is a unique talent, and I think we need to play to his talents. I think James is comfortable either way. It does help him, I think, in the long run.”
That’s why I haven’t even discussed Covington’s skillset until now because it’s important to understand why the Rockets viewed this as the right move. Acquiring a center for this team is much easier to do than it is to find a two-way wing like Covington. This gives the Rockets a true Trevor Ariza replacement, a strong defensive wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan that can slide to four in smallball lineups. PJ Tucker is no longer alone as the team’s defensive anchor. Covington gives you another player that could attempt to slow down a Lebron or a Kawhi.
He’s a good three-point shooter (35.8% career) but not an incredible one. In Houston’s lineup, there’s a legit reason to be optimistic that he could inch closer to 40%.
A lineup of Russ, Harden, Eric Gordon, Covington and Tucker is arguably the NBA’s most unique lineup. I expect the offensive rating to head towards being the best in the league once again. Defense? That’s the big question. Can the Rockets rebound and defend? If so, they’re a contender. If not, they’re a fun gimmick.
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Caboclo is very intriguing. He’s 6-foot-9 with tremendous length, sporting a ridiculous 7-foot-6 wingspan. He’s energetic and can defend. I expect him to work his way into possibly getting some time at center, especially when Harden is running the show and Westbrook is on the bench. He has also shown the ability to hit from deep, connecting on 36.9% from three last year with the Grizzlies. That hasn’t been the case this season, but the ability is there and I think it will be a big key to working his way to minutes.
He’s dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and is still some time away from a return, but he’s an option for a four-five that D’Antoni can turn to.
Rockets Continue To Overpay
Trading Capela for Covington? I agree with this move. I feel it improves the Rockets today and gives them a chance that they didn’t have before the deal. But tossing in yet another first-round pick for the opportunity to unload Nene’s and Green’s expiring contracts? Really?
It should absolutely alarm you the degree to which Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has given away valuable pieces to get what he wants. The Rockets have created FIVE first-round draft pick debts (three first-rounders and two first-round swaps) that extend out the next six and a half years, not to mention cleaning out the entire cupboard of second-round picks. The Rockets right now are basically that one college kid that opens and maxes out as many credit cards as the system will allow and likes the idea of making the minimum payment each month.
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Wouldn’t the Rockets have just been better off using a fraction of these future assets along with, say, Brandon Knight’s contract, to acquire Covington outright and put him alongside Paul and Capela? I mean, what do I know.
The fact that Daryl Morey’s voice, when it comes to personnel and trades, does not appear to be the loudest in the room terrifies me right now. The Rockets better win a title out of this experiment because I can assure you, there will be some lean years in the near future.
Conclusion
The Rockets are so deeply in debt that the 2020 first-round pick isn’t that big of a deal — it’s at least the one draft pick they’ve traded where they can get an accurate feel for where it will be. It’s just a shame that the Rockets couldn’t execute this trade without it, then use it to acquire another piece in a separate deal.
The team has two open roster spots and will aggressively enter the buyout market seeking a forward or center that gives them some size. Tristan Thompson would make a lot of sense, if the Cavs do pursue a buyout. They still need more help.
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But the Smallball Revolution is here and the Rockets, as they did with the Threeball Revolution, are leading the charge. While everybody is laughing at Houston’s inability to match up with the size of the likes of the Lakers and Bucks, and it may prove justified, the Rockets are looking at it in a different way:
Can those teams match up with our shooting and speed?
Armed with a bizarre fascination for Mario Elie and a deep love of the Houston Rockets, Dave Hardisty started ClutchFans in 1996 under the pen name “Clutch”.
In the days immediately following their free agency signings of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović, the Houston Rockets were linked to several other transactions of significance.
A 6-foot-8 forward, Eason remains one of the most valuable and versatile defenders for head coach Ime Udoka. Now 25 years old, he was drafted out of LSU in the 2022 first round.
The Rockets could get under the first apron and potentially the luxury tax depending on how they structure this contract and by trading Dorian Finney-Smith.
Assuming the roster is mostly set, their last big piece of business of the offseason is extending Amen Thompson. https://t.co/qKhNnDTPz3
In the 2026 playoffs, Eason ranked second among Houston’s rotation players in on-off differential, trailing only Amen Thompson.
Then, a day after the Eason news, Houston parted ways with two of its defensive acquisitions from the 2025 offseason. In a move designed to clear salary and open a roster spot, the Rockets moved Dorian Finney-Smith and three second-round picks to Charlotte.
As part of the deal, Houston will generate a $13.3-million trade exception (the amount of Finney-Smith’s 2026-27 salary) that lasts for one year.
The Rockets save over $20 million against their payroll and tax and get under the first apron by salary dumping Dorian Finney-Smith.
They create a $13.3 million trade exception and are in a position to field the rest of the roster while staying under the luxury tax line https://t.co/gc1mW4eTPq
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the second-round selections headed to Charlotte include Houston’s own picks in 2028 and 2033 and one from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2027.
After undergoing ankle surgery in the 2025 offseason, Finney-Smith struggled mightily in his one season in Houston and never recaptured his previous form. In turn, that forced the Rockets to pay a premium (second-round picks) to financially offload his deal.
Finney-Smith signed with Houston in July 2025, and the team did not learn until checkpoints in the weeks and months ahead that his June 2025 procedure did not resolve a longstanding ankle issue. The 33-year-old forward had yet to join the Rockets when he underwent surgery, which was performed by doctors elsewhere.
Finally, later that same day, reserve wing Josh Okogie agreed to a two-year, $12-million deal with the Utah Jazz. While the Rockets did have interest in a reunion, Okogie’s potential minutes and salary in Houston had decreased due to the signings of Smart and Bogdanović.
Free agent F/G Josh Okogie has agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Utah Jazz, sources tell ESPN. Okogie — a wing defender who shot 38.5% from 3 last season in Houston — considered several suitors before the Jazz received the commitment tonight from Okogie and his… pic.twitter.com/Bh9RN9KaHo
Smart is widely viewed as a superior defensive player who can also handle the ball, while Bogdanović is a career 38.1% 3-point shooter at high volume. After losing in the first round of the 2026 Western Conference playoffs, Udoka spoke of the importance of diversifying the types of players on Houston’s bench, where more shooting was clearly a need.
At the moment, Houston has two available roster spots within its potential 2026-27 depth chart. Assuming both are minimum signings, the Rockets will be able to stay beneath the NBA’s luxury tax threshold and delay the onset of punitive “repeater tax” penalties.
Among players from the 2025-26 Rockets, a team source told ClutchFans that Isaiah Crawford and Jae’Sean Tate are potential candidates for those final roster spots. It appears the team will likely move on from 39-year-old forward Jeff Green and 29-year-old guard Aaron Holiday, whose role was clearly in doubt following the 2026 draft selection of Bruce Thornton.
Houston’s 2026 summer league schedule begins Friday, July 10, in Las Vegas, where the Rockets can evaluate players such as Thornton, Crawford, and recent two-way contract signing Quadir Copeland for potential roles with the 2026-27 Rockets.
Rockets updated depth chart:
PG: Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, Bruce Thornton, JD Davison SG: Amen Thompson, Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanovic SF: Kevin Durant, Tari Eason PF: Jabari Smith Jr C: Alperen Şengün, Steven Adams, Clint Capela
Within the first 24 hours of the NBA’s 2026 free agency window, the Houston Rockets reached two agreements to fortify the depth of their 2026-27 roster.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart, who torched the Rockets in the 2026 playoffs while with the Los Angeles Lakers, is joining Houston on a two-year, $13-million deal.
Smart remains one of the NBA’s most impactful defenders, and he won Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for Rockets coach Ime Udoka with the 2021-22 Boston Celtics.
Meanwhile, Serbian sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanović is joining Houston on a one-year, minimum-salary contract. He played for portions of the past two seasons with the Clippers.
Bogdanović has shot 38.1% on 3-pointers over nine NBA seasons, and he remains an accomplished international player for Serbia, as well.
As of today, Houston’s starting lineup for the 2026-27 season appears likely to feature Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Key reserves will include Smart, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason (a restricted free agent), Bogdanović, and Steven Adams.
The Rockets are coming off consecutive seasons with 52-30 records before being defeated in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, and the team’s internal hope is that its newfound depth — along with having Durant, VanVleet, and Adams available in the 2027 playoffs — will help next year’s team get over that hump.
Houston Rockets salary cap situation after signing Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
They can exceed the first apron by using the taxpayer mid-level on Smart.
There is now less pressure to move Dorian Finney-Smith to accommodate a Tari Eason signing. pic.twitter.com/k5f1zq8KQ3
With 2026 free agency negotiations set to open Tuesday, the landscape of the NBA has already shifted dramatically.
The Miami Heat emerged as winners of the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, acquiring the All-NBA forward in a blockbuster trade. The Charlotte Hornets have also been among the most active teams, trading away LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in a pair of deals.
With more fireworks expected this offseason, questions remain about whether the Houston Rockets will join the wave of big trades and signings.
The Rockets have remained absent from most speculation involving star players, outside of minor rumors about interest in Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (which were later dismissed).
But one intriguing name to monitor is Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, amid uncertainty surrounding his availability. Sportsnet’s Michael Grange recently reported that the two-time Finals MVP could possibly seek a trade, with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors — two of his former teams — listed as preferred destinations.
Grange, who correctly linked Houston to a Fred VanVleet signing in 2023, then noted that the Rockets “could also be part of that mix.” Any interest would likely be mutual, since it wouldn’t make sense to pursue Leonard — who is entering the final year of his existing contract in 2026-27 — without feeling confident that he would extend his deal.
The Houston Rockets could be in the mix of trading for Kawhi Leonard, per @michaelgrange
“With reports circulating that the two-time Finals MVP would be open to reuniting with his former teams, San Antonio and Toronto, though the Houston Rockets could also be part of that mix”… pic.twitter.com/uqP7yKyOZX
Leonard, entering his 13th season, remains one of the league’s premier scorers. Now 35 years old, the 6-foot-6 forward averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game last season while shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from 3-point range.
Beyond his offensive production, Leonard is still one of the NBA’s best two-way players. He’s won two Defensive Player of the Year awards, a skill set that aligns with head coach Ime Udoka’s defensive philosophy.
What Would Be the Cost for the Rockets?
Ideally, Leonard would have his current contract voided as part of the league’s ongoing Aspiration investigation. With free agency negotiations opening Tuesday, cap space around the league will be occupied within a few days, which would soon put Houston on comparable financial footing relative to other suitors.
Should that not happen, the other option to potentially acquire Leonard would be by trade.
In any deal, VanVleet is one player to monitor. The 32-year-old guard has a player option worth $25 million that he exercised Monday, and speculation has increased following recent social media activity that some fans interpreted as cryptic messaging.
On Thursday, he reposted an X post from over 10 years ago that read, “Bet on yourself.” He then added a “note taking” emoji.
He later posted a more extensive message on Instagram:
“Operating at a higher frequency is uncomfortable, especially at first. But don’t feel bad for apologizing or compromising yourself to accommodate your environment. Stay true to self. The decision to better yourself comes with a cost. Stay down.”
Whether tied to a potential Leonard deal or not, a departure from VanVleet is certainly possible, since he won’t have the implied no-trade clause in 2026-27 that he did in 2025-26.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the Rockets traded up in the second round to select Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton, a player whose style shares similarities with VanVleet. With Udoka having expressed reluctance toward roster duplication and rumors swirling regarding the potential acquisition of Lakers guard Marcus Smart, the writing could be on the wall.
From an asset perspective, the Clippers might also seek All-Star center Alperen Şengün in any deal. Sengun’s presence could help Los Angeles fill a frontcourt void after trading away Ivica Zubac at February’s trade deadline. Sengun, who turns 24 in July, would also be in age alignment with 26-year-old guard Darius Garland (who the Clippers traded for in February).
Because Houston would need to trade away a comparable financial number to Leonard’s $50.3 million for salary matching, some combination of larger contracts — such as VanVleet, Sengun ($35.6 million), and Dorian Finney-Smith ($13.3 million expiring) — would need to go out in order for a deal to work under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The bottom line: Just one year after acquiring veteran star Kevin Durant, the Rockets could once again find themselves at the center of another chaotic offseason.
Whether history repeats itself remains to be seen.
After entering the 2026 NBA draft without a first-round pick in one of the deepest classes in recent memory, the Rockets wasted no time making moves in Wednesday’s second round.
Houston traded the No. 39 and No. 53 pselections, along with a 2029 second-round pick via Sacramento, to the defending NBA champion Knicks in exchange for the No. 31 and No. 55 selections. The Rockets then used the No. 31 pick to select Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton.
In his final season with the Buckeyes, Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 55% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
Thornton leaves Ohio State as one of the most decorated players in program history. He finished his career as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,164 points over four seasons and served as a team captain for four consecutive years — a leadership trait frequently highlighted by scouts leading up to the draft.
Thornton adds much-needed perimeter shooting to the Rockets’ roster, as evidenced by his 40% 3-point shooting clip as a senior. He did that on relatively high volume at just under five attempts a game, though he also possesses the ability to create offense off the dribble.
While officially listed at 6-foot-0, Thornton plays with physicality on both ends of the floor and often uses his 223-pound frame and 6-foot-5 wingspan to compensate for his lack of height.
Rockets take 6-0 guard Bruce Thornton out of Ohio State with the 31st pick. 4-year player, turns 23 just before camp. 6-5 wingspan, shot 41.2% from three the past two seasons. Strong dude, can create his own shot and boosts the shooting. He likely replaces Aaron Holiday on the… pic.twitter.com/58SLyMPeTQ
Thornton’s career outline is one that, decades ago, was a routine. Today, however, it is a relative anomaly to play all four collegiate seasons at one university.
A 22-year-old entering the draft can be viewed as a negative to some NBA general managers, who might covet more youth and perceived upside. But for a Rockets team ready to compete for a championship now, Thornton’s experience may be an ideal addition to the roster.
Tom Izzo, the legendary Michigan State coach, showed clear respect to Thornton after watching the Ohio State guard score 32 points during a Big Ten matchup in February.
“I said to him before the game, it’s been a privilege to have him in our league,” Izzo said. “He’s handled himself well, he stayed in the same place, he’s been an unbelievable performer. He’s got class. I’m a big Bruce Thornton fan.”
Most second-round picks are not expected to become immediate rotational players in the NBA. But depending on Houston’s free-agent moves, Thornton could have a path to playing time with the 2026-27 Rockets.
As currently constructed, Thornton could compete with Aaron Holiday (a pending free agent) for minutes as the team’s third point guard behind Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard.
There's a lot to like here with Bruce Thornton. He's built very similarly to a Kyle Lowry.
Lowry was 6'0.25" barefoot, 195 pounds and a 6'4" wingspan.
Thornton is 6'0" barefoot, 223 pounds and a 6'5" wingspan.
The Houston Rockets are unveiling a bold new look for the franchise, one which honors the past while attempting to push Rockets basketball into an exciting next chapter.
“Rooted in the energy, pride, and championship spirit of Houston, the new brand identity brings back the iconic ketchup-and-mustard color palette that helped define Rockets basketball for decades,” the team writes in its press release.
Yet, along with the ketchup-and-mustard scheme is a modern collection of logos, uniforms, and apparel designed for the future.
“We heard our fans,” said Patrick Fertitta, vice chairman of the Houston Rockets and Comets. “Ketchup and mustard is back! From the time my family bought the team in 2017, we’ve heard from countless fans about how deeply those colors are tied to their memories. We wanted to create something that celebrates the generations of fans who built Rockets basketball while inspiring the next generation of fans.”
Red returns as the heartbeat of the franchise, according to the team, while “championship yellow” is an effort to reconnect past greatness to the future ahead.
The “R” logo remains at the center of the new look and reinforces the organization’s core identity. Meanwhile, the reimagined “Dunkstronaut” blends nostalgia with innovation and further connects the franchise to the spirit of “Space City.” The new global logo draws inspiration from NASA mission patches, with two quasars symbolizing the franchise’s journey from San Diego to Houston.
Houston’s Icon (red) and Association (white) uniforms for the 2026-27 season reimagine the franchise’s visual identity while honoring the eras that shaped Rockets basketball. The Icon Edition features “Rockets” across the chest, while the Association Edition showcases “Houston” as a tribute to the city.
Both uniforms are accented with broken tonal pinstripes inspired by the team’s look from the mid-1990s and early 2000s. Custom typography derived from the championship-era wordmarks, including the return of the signature lowercase “t” and a distinctive slanted presentation, completes a uniform system rooted in legacy and built for the future, according to the team.
The Statement jersey embraces Houston’s “Space City” identity and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Its black base symbolizes the vastness of space, while a quasar-inspired pinstripe reflects the team’s speed, force, and intensity.
Along the side panels, rockets rise seamlessly from the shorts into the jersey, thereby creating a continuous visual expression of momentum and acceleration. On the jersey’s back middle portion, a red commander’s stripe draws inspiration from NASA mission leadership identifiers.
Each jersey includes a “Clutch City” jock tag framed by two quasars. The shorts prominently feature the “R” logo, while the Dunkstronaut logo appears on the waistband.
Fans can purchase the new apparel at RocketsShop.com and sign up for a mailing list to be notified when jerseys are available for purchase.
To celebrate the launch, the Rockets are hosting a special retail pop-up event at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. The pop-up event will take place outside of Hall D on Friday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
The first 100 fans that spend $100 or more will receive a free T-shirt. Former Rockets Rudy Tomjanovich (noon-1 p.m.), Steve Francis (2-3 p.m.), and Vernon Maxwell (4-5 p.m.) will each hold a signing session. Fans can also enjoy a live DJ alongside an interactive photo booth, games, and complimentary food and beverage samplings.
