After a few years of relative parity, the Spurs and Thunder appear to be entrenched juggernauts atop the West standings. As San Antonio and Oklahoma City square off in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, each features an MVP frontrunner and other young stars who should all remain in elite form for years to come.

So, what does that mean for those teams a few slots beneath them, including the Houston Rockets? With a eye toward long-term roster planning, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves mull over all the scenarios in our latest podcast.

Topics include the merits of a “strategic step back” this offseason; why “all-in” transactions are becoming increasingly undesirable; and whether Houston has the right leadership in place to execute a longer-term plan built around drafting and developing young players.