4 Shocking Rockets starting 5s that could be reality by 2026

If you’re a Houston Rockets fan, you’ve grown accustomed to thinking about the future. 

For years, that’s what the organization has been selling us - the future. Luckily, the future is now. In 2023-24, the Rockets won 41 games. This team is ready to start competing. 

That doesn’t mean they won’t make changes. The Rockets are presumed to have an interest in trading for a star player. In a few years, their line-up could look entirely different. 

Here are 4 line-ups we think we could see by 2026. 

1. Rockets cash-in Phoenix picks

C:  Alperen Sengun 

PF: Jabari Smith Jr. 

SF: Tari Eason 

SG: Devin Booker 

PG: Reed Sheppard

Feelings will be hurt in the process of reading this article. There’s no viable way around it. 

If you’re an Amen Thompson fan, you’re noticing his omission from this lineup. We understand. Still, there are reasonable questions to ask about his ability to co-exist with Sengun as a non-shooter. 

This lineup is about surrounding Sengun with spacing. It’s also about building a potent offense around Sengun and Booker. Guarding Sengun in single coverage is difficult - he demands a double. 

How will teams double team him with perhaps the best shooting backcourt in the NBA flanking him? 

Meanwhile, Smith Jr. and Eason are responsible for holding down the defense here. That might not be enough to keep the Rockets in the top-10, but if this offense can creep into top-5 territory, the Rockets could be a formidable two-way force.