After a first-round playoff exit, the Houston Rockets have officially concluded their season, falling short of advancing further. In the series, core player Kevin Durant was limited to just one game due to injury, unable to provide the necessary impact—a disappointing outcome for the entire organization.
Head coach Ime Udoka has already outlined clear plans for next season’s rotation and player usage. He stated that Durant’s playing time will be significantly reduced moving forward. Udoka believes that once veterans like Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Dorian Finney-Smith fully regain their form and health, the Rockets’ overall roster depth will still rank among the league’s elite. At that point, Durant won’t need to carry such a heavy workload on both ends of the floor, and his minutes will be managed more reasonably.
As the offseason begins, the future of the Rockets’ entire 17-man roster has become a hot topic among fans. Aside from David Johnson, who had his contract converted at the end of the regular season, the team has two two-way players: forward Jakob Crawford and guard Jaden Newton. Both have expiring two-way contracts this summer, making them restricted free agents, and it remains uncertain whether they will remain with the team.
Excluding the two expiring two-way deals, the Rockets have 15 players on standard contracts. The roster structure is clear: seven players have contracts that expire, entering free agency, while ten remain under contract for the upcoming season.
The ten players under contract form the core and young rotation: Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela, and David Johnson. These players represent the foundation of Houston’s roster for next season.
The seven players with expiring contracts fall into two categories: restricted and unrestricted free agents. Crawford, Newton, and forward Tari Eason are restricted free agents. The Rockets failed to reach a contract extension with Eason earlier, and his four-year rookie deal has now ended. He is eligible for a significant contract this offseason, either re-signing with Houston or accepting an offer from another team. Eason has not yet indicated his preference, but the Rockets’ front office has made it clear they will match any offer sheet to retain him.
Additionally, Jae’Sean Tate, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Josh Okogie are unrestricted free agents. Among them, Tate, Green, and Holiday have limited impact on the team’s overall plans, so their re-signing is not critical. However, Okogie is a key role player the Rockets must prioritize retaining. Signed to a minimum contract last offseason, he has proven to be one of the team’s best value additions. Okogie provides consistent three-point shooting and tenacious perimeter defense, capable of playing both shooting guard and small forward. He willingly takes on defensive and hustle assignments without needing the ball or chasing stats, making him a perfect fit for the team’s system. Overall, the Rockets’ top priority this offseason is securing both Tari Eason and Josh Okogie to solidify their roster and build a strong foundation for next season’s push.