Latest news with #RafaelStone
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Rockets want to balance experience with youth, and they're off to a great start
Over the past few weeks, Houston Rockets team officials made it clear that building on a 52-win season was the organization's No. 1 priority, regardless of its postseason embarrassment months before. Houston's brass, led by general manager Rafael Stone and owner Patrick Fertitta, aggressively retained its core. Head coach Ime Udoka was signed to a long-term extension, strengthening the alignment that has worked the past two years. Key veteran contributors Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams were next on the docket, their immediate futures hammered out quickly. Important role players — Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate — were also re-signed, as was fourth-year forward Jabari Smith Jr., an Udoka favorite. Advertisement The trade for 14-time All-Star forward Kevin Durant (which can't be officially completed until July 6), a blockbuster move that cost the Rockets two starters and NBA Draft capital, was the biggest indicator that Houston intended to contend. During the first few hours of free agency, the organization doubled down on those intentions. Then, Monday, the Rockets agreed to sign veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal, according to league sources. Houston also agreed to a deal to reacquire former center Clint Capela, one that will pay the 31-year-old $21.5 million over the next three seasons, a league source said. Houston isn't finished doing business, either. The franchise will continue to work on finding third-year, 20-year-old wing Cam Whitmore a new home via trade and look to find a solution for reserve center Jock Landale, either by trade or simply waiving him ahead of his July 7 guarantee date. It also appears that Capela's addition will need to expand into a sign-and-trade, given Houston's cap situation. As it stands, the Rockets are hard-capped at the first apron ($195.9 million) after using the nontaxpayer midlevel exception to sign Finney-Smith. Reducing Houston's payroll — by removing Landale's $8 million non-guaranteed salary — will get it under the apron and afford it more wiggle room. Whitmore's salary ($3.5 million for 2025-26) isn't the deciding factor in the Rockets' flexibility, but it's apparent his days in Houston were numbered, long before it made any of these offseason moves. Regardless, the common theme in the Rockets' in-house business or their outward acquisitions is experience. VanVleet, Adams and Capela are 31. Finney-Smith is 32. Durant is 36. As long as Udoka has been at the helm, his voice within the organization has risen, and the 47-year-old has been vocal about his preference for older veterans. And as such, given the aforementioned alignment with Houston's front office and ownership, the team has fulfilled his wishes. After Houston's Game 7 loss to the Golden State Warriors, Udoka's end-of-season news conference drove home the point about the need for improved IQ and the power of experience, buzzwords that typically precede roster changes. Advertisement Make no mistake: The Rockets' offseason is off to an excellent start. The overarching theme in negotiations has been maintaining financial leverage, all while building a roster that is built for now and later. The two-timeline approach is risky in a vacuum, but context, mainly personnel, is important. It might not have worked out in the Bay with James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, but those are different players from Thompson, Smith, Tari Eason and even Reed Sheppard. Still, it's jarring to see Houston move in this manner, particularly because of how quickly its methodology has shifted. Perhaps that's why it's difficult to quantify the magnitude of its summer business to this point. For years, the Rockets' ethos was patience and perseverance, opting to accumulate losses, build through the draft and maintain enough elasticity to capitalize at an opportune moment. That moment is now. The Rockets have peeled back the curtain on what was once a rebuild, laying out a championship-capable core. A team that finished in the bottom 10 in half-court offensive efficiency and a myriad of shooting categories has added two veterans who shot better than 40 percent from 3 on good volume, one of whom is already eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Houston's coaching staff, which had previously committed to drastic improvement this offseason, will now have several in-game combinations that should yield elite spacing and scoring. Alperen Şengün, coming off an All-Star campaign, will only continue to flourish with better players around him, as will Thompson, who should thrive with quality spacing. And when Houston wants to impose its will on the offensive glass, Adams and Capela are ready to help. This team, which had already established itself as a top-five defensive unit, added more physicality, rim protection, switchability and point-of-attack aggression. Houston, which has taken pride in its players' size, can now boast an in-game lineup featuring tremendous length in Thompson, Eason, Finney-Smith, Smith and Durant. The Rockets have the capability of shape-shifting to any opposition and can now play any defensive style they want. Advertisement The Rockets, who are determined to win and develop now, should be considered a threat in the Western Conference. Team officials have long used the Oklahoma City Thunder as a loose comparison, but while the differences between the teams are clear, there's no denying Houston is aware of the league's parity and is preparing itself for a battle of supremacy over the years to come. (Top photo of Ime Udoka: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Rockets intend to sign Jabari Smith Jr. to 5-year, $122 million extension: Sources
The Houston Rockets intend to sign forward Jabari Smith Jr. to a fully guaranteed, five-year extension worth $122 million with no player or team options, team sources said Sunday. Smith averaged 12.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists during his third season with the franchise. Led by general manager Rafael Stone, the Rockets front office has made an aggressive effort in the last few weeks to keep Houston's competitive core intact, recently signing veterans Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to long-term deals. Houston also intends to retain Jae'Sean Tate, Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday once free agency officially opens on June 30. Talks continue with forward Tari Eason on an extension, but team sources have been adamant about their intent to keep both him and Smith Jr., two players who were highly coveted by Phoenix during trade talks surrounding Kevin Durant. Advertisement Smith, who was drafted third out of Auburn in the 2022 NBA Draft, has been a key rotational figure under head coach Ime Udoka, providing floor spacing, switchability on defense and rebounding prowess. The 22-year-old, who broke his hand in January, returned to Udoka's rotation in late February after missing 22 games but had to settle for a reserve role — and has remained in one since. However, following the acquisition of Durant, Smith is expected to regain a position in the starting lineup. With the bulk of Houston's roster business done, the Rockets can turn their attention to the free-agency market, where they are expected to be aggressive in searching for additional upgrades. The Rockets are under the luxury tax, meaning they will have their full nontaxpayer midlevel exception to use in free agency, worth around $14.1 million. With their rotation already largely filled out, Houston is seeking the best player available who can contribute immediately to a contender, regardless of position.
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Rockets re-sign Fred VanVleet to 2-year, $50 million contract: Source
Days after the conclusion of the Finals and hours ahead of the NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Fred VanVleet have reached an agreement on a two-year, $50 million extension that also includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, a team source confirmed to The Athletic. VanVleet's $44.9 team option for the upcoming season will be declined as a result of the new deal. Advertisement VanVleet's immediate future with the franchise was never in doubt, with the 31-year-old guard expressing his desire to stay in Houston publicly and privately. General manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka had also voiced their support of retaining the NBA champion, who has brought a sense of calmness and control to a once chaotic Rockets team. This story will be updated…
New York Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Rockets, Fred VanVleet agree to 2-year, $50 million contract extension: Source
Days after the conclusion of the Finals and hours ahead of the NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets and veteran guard Fred VanVleet have reached an agreement on a two-year, $50 million extension that also includes a player option for the 2026-27 season, a team source confirmed to The Athletic. VanVleet's $44.9 team option for the upcoming season will be declined as a result of the new deal. Advertisement VanVleet's immediate future with the franchise was never in doubt, with the 31-year-old guard expressing his desire to stay in Houston publicly and privately. General manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka had also voiced their support of retaining the NBA champion, who has brought a sense of calmness and control to a once chaotic Rockets team. This story will be updated…
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets Sign Ime Udoka To Long-Term Extension, Making Him One Of The NBA's Highest-Paid Coaches
Rockets Sign Ime Udoka To Long-Term Extension, Making Him One Of The NBA's Highest-Paid Coaches originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Ime Udoka's basketball redemption arc is now complete and lucrative. On the heels of guiding the Houston Rockets to a 52-win campaign and securing their first top-two seed in seven years, Udoka has agreed to a long-term extension that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA, sources confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania. Advertisement For a coach whose career was once in limbo after a suspension and dismissal from the Boston Celtics in 2023, this marks a triumphant turnaround. Udoka's extension comes after he led Houston to its best record since the James Harden era, transforming a 22-win team into a Western Conference powerhouse in just two seasons. In fact, the Rockets won more games under Udoka in two years (93) than they did in the three seasons prior to his arrival (59 combined). They also finished fifth in defensive efficiency, a dramatic turnaround from their bottom-five ranking in 2022-23. The Rockets' front office, led by owner Tilman Fertitta and GM Rafael Stone, had no hesitation when the New York Knicks reportedly expressed interest in speaking to Udoka about their vacant coaching position earlier this month. Advertisement Houston flatly denied the request and followed up by offering Udoka a massive extension, locking down the architect of their revival for the foreseeable future. The numbers behind the raise are staggering. Udoka's original four-year, $28.5 million deal started at $6.75 million annually. Now, he's in the eight-figure range yearly, which could net him over $40 million in just the next four years. It's a significant leap and a deserved one, reflecting both his tactical brilliance and cultural impact in a young, evolving locker room. The extension isn't the only major move the Rockets have made this month. They also re-signed veteran center Steven Adams to a three-year, $39 million deal and are weighing Fred VanVleet's $44.9 million team option. Advertisement Additionally, Houston has surfaced as one of Kevin Durant's preferred trade destinations should the Suns entertain offers, signaling that the front office is ready to capitalize on its current momentum. Udoka's rise is symbolic not only of personal redemption but of the franchise's rebirth. Once marred by dysfunction and rebuilding fatigue, the Rockets are now on the upswing, and Udoka is at the center of it all. His ability to instill defensive discipline, hold stars accountable, and mold young talent has completely altered Houston's trajectory. From a $2 million setback in Boston to a possible $40 million comeback in Houston, Udoka's journey is a reminder that second chances, when earned, can be golden. With their coach now locked in and empowered, the Rockets aren't just hoping to compete. They expect to win. Related: Rockets Taking Patient Approach In Kevin Durant Trade Talks, Similar To Raptors With Kawhi Leonard This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
