Rockets Receive Solid Grades For Offseason Moves

The Houston Rockets did not make a ton of moves this offseason, but they did make some good decisions when it came to the moves they did make.

Recently, national NBA writer for ESPN Zach Kram graded each offseason move for each NBA team, and the Rockets received a solid grade for each of the three moves that they made. With that said, let's take a look at these moves and see what this could mean for Houston heading into 2026 and beyond.

This offseason, the Rockets made three key moves, which included signing Amen Thompson to a five-year $208 million extension, signing Tari Eason to a five-year $81.5 million deal, and signing veteran guard Marcus Smart to a two-year $13 million contract.

In terms of the grades, the Thompson extension received an A-, the Eason deal received an A, and the Smart contract received an A-.

Overall, I do believe that Kram is correct to have graded the Rockets on having a solid offseason, and based on the grades it could be interpreted as having a great offseason. 

Starting with the Rockets being able to extend both Thompson and Eason, I think these were both solid deals and done in a way that demonstrates the type of performance each of them have put on throughout their careers thus far.

Additionally, for Houston to have the ability to secure two of their young players for the next five years is a huge step, because the more continuity there is in the building the better off this team will be year in and year out.

Now, looking at the Smart contract, I really like it not only because it is good value based on the production that Smart has showcased, but also based on the fact that Smart is a great veteran presence and can serve as a great mentor for a team that is very young.

Heading into 2026, the Rockets are hoping to take a step forward, and a lot of that has to do with their young players needing to continue progressing, and Smart can play a key role in that, especially for a player like Thompson, as Smart has won a defensive player of the year award in his career and can show the young Thompson what it takes to do it.

When taking a big picture look at the moves the Rockets made this offseason, it seems like they did a great job of being able to make moves that help them for the future with the deals for Thompson and Eason, but also for the present with the addition of Smart.

This next season, the Rockets should be a better team not just because of the progression of the young talent, the addition of Smart, and already having a very talented forward in Kevin Durant, but also because they will be getting point guard Fred VanVleet back to help initiate the offense, which was a huge question throughout the 2025 season with VanVleet missing the entirety of the 2026 season.

So, as the Rockets head into the 2026 season, I do believe that the moves they made this offseason were great decisions that should help this team take a step forward, and if VanVleet is close to full strength, in addition to the rest of this team staying healthy, there is no telling what this team could accomplish.