Rockets' starting 5 becomes crystal clear after Kevin Durant trade

The Houston Rockets will look different in 2025-26. That's what happens when you acquire Kevin Durant.

The team will have a different pecking order. They'll have new offensive strategies. It's an exciting time, and Rockets fans aren't sure what to expect.

That said, their new starting lineup should be obvious to everyone.

Rockets' new starting five gives them infinite advantages

Let's look at the team's projected starting lineup heading into 2025-26.

Rockets' starting lineup

C: Alperen Sengun

PF: Jabari Smith Jr.

SF: Kevin Durant

SG: Amen Thompson

PG: Fred VanVleet

Confession: I wrote an article suggesting that the Rockets needed to acquire an off-guard to start. That notion was rooted in an antiquated concept of NBA basketball. Thompson is nobody's idea of a "shooting" guard, but this wing-heavy lineup allows the Rockets to put their most sensible group on the floor. The Rockets could still use some backcourt depth, but this is the starting lineup

The defense should be absurd. The offense will be much improved. This lineup gives the Rockets a surplus of length and size, and just enough shooting to get by. It's the lineup they'll roll out to begin the year:

There's only one possible reservation to have about it.

Rockets are starting the right young wing

Some Rockets fans will prefer to put Tari Eason in the starting group.

That position has merit. In a vacuum, Eason has been a more productive NBA player than Smith Jr. That's not reason enough to start him.

Firstly, Eason has value off the bench. The way he injects his frenetic energy into the game works well as a change-up. Eason's positional versatility will allow him to sub in for either of the Rockets' starting forwards as well.

Then, there's that omnipresent shooting issue. Again, this proposed starting group has just enough shooting to get by. It can't afford to lose any, and Smith Jr. is a better shooter than Eason.

The career percentages don't reflect the entire advantage. Defenders are more comfortable leaving Eason open. The Rockets will have better spacing with Smith Jr. in the starting group.

Finally, Thompson provides much of what Eason offers. He's a similarly aggressive defender who wreaks havoc in passing lanes. Partly, this is about diversifying assets.

The Rockets should still get the "Terror Twins" on the floor at the same time. Eason should play a pivotal role for the Rockets this year. He should get a starter's share of minutes. The Rockets have the luxury of multiple plus-sized wings to mix and match in 2025-26:

That's one way they'll build on the success of 2024-25.