Rockets made the absolute best move of the offseason — and they didn't stop there

According to Sam Vecenie's Game Theory Podcast, the Houston Rockets pulled off the best move of the NBA offseason. That move, of course, was trading for Kevin Durant. But what has made Houston’s summer even more impressive is the fact that they kept building from there.

The Rockets did not just land one of the best scorers of a generation, they continued to build a contending roster around him. Their moves now have them looking like one of the top teams to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals in 2026.

Adding Durant would have been enough to shift expectations on its own. Even at this stage of his career, he remains one of the most unguardable scorers in the league. But what has made the Rockets' offseason feel complete is how well they filled in the supporting cast afterward.

Dorian Finney-Smith gives Houston a switchable, veteran wing who brings playoff experience and can knock down threes at a reliable clip. Josh Okogie adds another hard-nosed defender to the rotation and will help lighten the load on the perimeter for guys like Fred VanVleet.

The Rockets built a roster to complement Kevin Durant

Both of those additions are important when you look at the broader picture. The Rockets did not just go after talent for talent’s sake. They went after fit, defensive flexibility, and postseason readiness. There was already a certain level of toughness and maturity on this roster, and although losing Dillon Brooks hurt in that department, Houston made sure to make amends immediately.

Between Durant, Finney-Smith, Okogie and VanVleet, this team still has a defensive core that's primed to succeed in the postseason. And when it comes time to close games, Houston now has a superstar who can create his own high-percentage looks in crunch time, something they have sorely lacked in recent seasons.

It is also worth noting how much credit should go to Ime Udoka and the front office. The Rockets did not waste time once the opportunity to go all-in presented itself. They understood the window, pulled the trigger, and built something formidable. There is still work to be done, and health will be a major factor, but on paper, this group has as much upside as anyone in the West.

Plenty of teams made splashy moves this summer, but none reshaped their identity and raised their ceiling the way the Rockets did. Bringing in Kevin Durant changed everything, and what followed made it stick.