Monday’s emergency podcast features a roundtable forum of Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (@ClutchFans) reacting to Fred VanVleet’s potentially season ending ACL tear. Topics include the Rockets’ internal and external options to fill his role at point guard, as well as why the shocking news isn’t necessarily the end of Houston’s 2026 championship hopes.

Per head coach Ime Udoka, Houston will have an open competition at training camp for its fifth and final spot in the starting lineup. Friday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the news, including a look at the pros and cons of Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, and Tari Eason in that role.

The episode also explores potential strategies to optimize each unit of the playing rotation, along with perspective on Alperen Sengun’s elite EuroBasket play for Turkey and its potential implications for the 2025-26 Rockets.

Wednesday’sepisode breaks down the ongoing contract extension negotiations between the Rockets and fourth-year forward Tari Eason, including new reasons for optimism and projections on what a deal might look like. The deadline for rookie-scale extensions comes prior to the NBA’s October 21 regular-season opener, so negotiations between Eason and Houston executives will be active over the coming days and weeks.

Friday’s show with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves features reaction to Houston’s newly released schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season, as well as recent rumors regarding Kevin Durant’s next contract and why it might not be finalized this offseason.

With the NBA’s 2025 summer league in the books and the Rockets giving what will likely be their final standard contract to defensive wing Josh Okogie, Houston appears set to enter the 2025-26 season with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard as its primary ball-handlers and play initiators among rotation players.

After a brief but underwhelming stint in Las Vegas, Tuesday’s show explores whether Sheppard is up for the point-guard task, as well as whether Thompson is ready to take on the type of on-ball responsibility that Jalen Green often did last season. The episode also breaks down how recent signings such as Okogie, JD Davison, and Isaiah Crawford could potentially fit into the equation as training camp nears.

Friday’s episode features reaction to the Rockets trading Cam Whitmore to Washington and a preview of Houston’s upcoming summer-league games in Las Vegas (where second-year guard Reed Sheppard will be a clear focal point).

The show also recaps recent interview comments by general manager Rafael Stone and shows why he’s probably correct in his belief that the remainder of the 2025 offseason will be quiet.

With marquee external additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, along with efficient contract extensions for key personnel such as Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets have turned heads throughout the NBA with their 2025 offseason. According to oddsmakers, they’re now among the leading championship contenders for the 2026 NBA Finals.

In Wednesday’s episode (sponsored by Karbach Brewing), our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to the latest news from free agency’s opening days. Topics include why the Finney-Smith signing could make the Durant trade look even better; the implications of Capela’s surprising deal on future luxury tax considerations; and why leaders such as Rafael Stone and Patrick Fertitta deserve every bit of the praise they’re receiving around the league.

In a phone segment on Tuesday’s The Sean Salisbury Show (SportsTalk 790), our Ben DuBose offers insight on Houston’s rapid free agency agreements with Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.

Other topics include what weaknesses the Rockets still have, if any; whether general manager Rafael Stone might pursue another All-Star acquisition to pair with Kevin Durant; and perspective on why Cam Whitmore appears to be a trade candidate.

As free agency negotiations officially begin around the NBA, the Rockets are continuing a busy offseason. With Kevin Durant already in the fold, Houston has recently agreed to new contracts with Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, and there are rumors that Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could be an attainable target during the opening days of 2025 free agency.

Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday’s episode explores all the various implications. Discussion topics include include how Smith and VanVleet’s relatively inexpensive deals could the Rockets help fill out future rosters, as well as why Finney-Smith is a worthwhile target to potentially backfill the role of Dillon Brooks (traded to Phoenix in the Durant deal).

Wednesday’s show features immediate reaction to Fred VanVleet’s cheaper-than-expected contract to re-sign for two years and $50 million (player option on the second season). Topics include what VanVleet’s new deal could mean in terms of increased spending power for the 2025 offseason, as well as more uncertainty regarding the future role of Cam Whitmore in Houston.