Red Nation Hoops: A Houston Rockets Pod

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) give their thoughts on the conclusion of the 2025-26 Houston Rockets season.

Topics include:

-Salman's frustration with Rockets discourse this season

-Is everyone overreacting?

-Major changes needed?

-Should Rafael Stone be fired?

-Is a coaching shakeup needed? Can Udoka be trusted?

-Should Houston trade Kevin Durant?

-Does Durant even want to be in Houston?

-Should the Rockets pursue star free agents like Giannis?

+ more

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Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) discuss:

-Kevin Durant’s new extension with the Rockets

-Tari Eason reportedly declining $100 million from Houston

-Fred VanVleet’s season-ending ACL injury

-How do the Rockets look without VanVleet in the first two games?

-Should the 0-2 start be a cause for concern?

-How can Houston make up for VanVleet’s absence?

+ more

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Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) debrief the Houston Rockets offseason in full detail, including long and short-term implications of their decision making.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Dan Favale (@DanFavale) discuss:

-Cam Whitmore traded to the Wizards.

-Reacting to the details for Dorian-Finney Smith’s contract

-Why the DFS signing and the Cam Whitmore trade should be viewed as one big transaction

-Will Houston regret trading Whitmore?

-Where does Houston stack up in the Western Conference?

-Is OKC in a tier of it’s own? Are they a “Warriors’ level threat”?

-Can Houston or Denver credibly be at OKC’s level?

-How good is Kevin Durant at age 37?

-What could hold Houston back as a team?

-Is Alperen Sengun still being overlooked nationally?

-Could next season be a breakout year for Reed Sheppard?

+ more

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Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) recap the Rockets known free agency moves. Topics include:

-Could anyone have seen this summer coming for the Rockets?

-Thoughts on the Jabari Smith extension

-Does Smith still possess All-Star potential?

-Reacting to the Dorian Finney-Smith contract

-Does Cam Whitmore have a future in Houston?

-Why did Houston bring Clint Capela back?

-Are the Rockets ready to compete with the Thunder in the Western Conference?

+ more

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Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) react to the Houston Rockets’ stunning acquisition of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant.

Topics include:

-Initial reactions to the trade

-Grading the deal for both teams

-Short and long-term ramifications for the team

-How does Kevin Durant fit in Houston?

-Will KD and Fred VanVleet get extended soon?

-What other moves can Houston make?

-Who starts for the Rockets next season? Amen Thompson or Tari Eason?

-How good is Houston next year? Can they win the title?

+ more

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) broadly catch up on all things Rockets from the first quarter games of the Rockets season.

**Episode was recorded in late November, but remains essentially up-to-date**

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) discuss:

* Why Summer League left Salman speechless

* Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore appear too good for Summer League

* In-depth observations of Reed Sheppard’s first two games

* Why Sheppard is more than just a shooter

* What could hold him back in the future?

* Cam Whitmore builds upon his Summer League MVP from last year

* What has Whitmore worked on this summer?

* Why this season is more important than ever for Jalen Green

All that and more.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and The Athletic's Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba):

* Analyzing the pre-draft Nets/Rockets trade

* Was it smart for Houston to send Brooklyn their picks back?

* The upside of the future Suns picks the Rockets acquired

* Will they trade for Kevin Durant? Devin Booker?

* What is Reed Sheppard's upside as a prospect?

* How does he fit with the other "Core 7" Rockets?

* Thoughts on Houston trading for AJ Griffin

* What are Griffin's strengths and weaknesses as a prospect?

* Is Amen Thompson the best prospect on the Rockets?

* Can Alperen Sengun be a franchise cornerstone?

All that and more.

Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.

Subscribe to the RNH newsletter:

www.RedNationHoops.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) discuss:

-Will the Rockets keep or trade the 3rd overall pick?

-What sort of return would Houston want for #3?

-Is trading out or trading down more feasible?

-Who do we think the Rockets ultimately take? Who's going to be available?

-Who do we want the Rockets to take? Best fit?

-Are Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard underrated prospects?

-Salman bashes "Wing Culture" on NBA Draft Twitter

-What makes Reed Sheppard such an interesting prospect?

-What are Sheppard's weaknesses?

All that and more.

Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.

Subscribe to the RNH newsletter:

www.RedNationHoops.com

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe