Rockets projected to fix last season's biggest issue in 2025-26

The Houston Rockets had an elite defense and a mediocre offense last season. According to Bleacher Report, that will change in 2025-26. They released an article grading every team's offense heading into the season, and gave the Rockets an A-.

Arguably, Houston's offense in 2024-25 was underrated. It was ugly, but it could have been less effective. The Rockets' 114.9 Offensive Rating ranked 12th in the NBA.

How did such a rudimentary attack place so well?

Rockets' offense was simple but effective

You've heard it before.

The Rockets' 36.3 Offensive Rebounding % was first in the league by a wide margin. Nobody corralled as many offensive boards or came even close. Houston was 3.1% ahead of the second-place Trail Blazers, and the margins separating the rest of the pack don't exceed 2%.

You don't need a math degree to figure this out. More possessions mean more shots. More shots mean more makes. The Rockets compensated for a lack of offensive talent with size, length, and brute force.

It wasn't The Beautiful Game, but it worked. Next year, it might be a little prettier.

The Rockets substantially upgraded their offensive talent.

Rockets' Kevin Durant will change the game

The Rockets flipped Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela. Let's simplify the discussion and talk about the difference between Durant and Green, as Durant will be taking Green's role.

That means the Rockets flipped one of the worst volume jump shooters in the NBA for the best volume jump shooter in the NBA. Durant shot 43.0% from deep, and Green shot 35.4%. Durant hit 57.4% of his twos, and Green hit 48.2% of his. Pick a spot on the floor, and Durant hit a higher percentage of his jumpers.

The Rockets' approach won't be radically different in 2025-26. They'll look to Durant to score from the perimeter, and Alperen Sengun to score on the interior. Only now, that perimeter scorer is going to regularly hit shots.

Otherwise, Houston will hope for growth from their younger players. If Sengun can develop a three, that'll diversify their attack. Any development from Amen Thompson will be a bonus. Still, look for the Rockets to dominate the offensive glass again, only this year, they'll have fewer opportunities at rebounds with more shots going in.

That ought to be enough to push the 12th-best offense in the league into the top-10. Houston's already-fourth-ranked defense stands to marginally improve, so they'll be top-10 in both areas and top-5 in one.

That's historically the formula for championship contention.