The Rockets agreed Saturday to extend the contract of veteran center Steven Adams for three years and $39 million. Our rapid reaction podcast explores motivations for the deal and its implications, both for next season’s rotation and the potential of larger deals this offseason.

With trade talks surrounding the Phoenix Suns and All-Star forward Kevin Durant potentially entering the closing stage, it appears Houston remains among the top suitors. Saturday’s podcast explores the landscape and the price points at which it makes sense for the Rockets to get a deal done (or walk away).

When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude in a few days, teams across the league will be able to exclusively negotiate with their own pending free agents. With the Rockets, that includes names such as Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae’Sean Tate.

So, with Houston’s payroll on the rise, what internal deals are likely to make basketball and business sense? Tuesday’s podcast explores the parameters, including why new three-year contracts for VanVleet (around $90 to $100 million, in total) and Adams ($40 to $45 million, in total) could be the sweet spot for both the player and team.

Wednesday’s episode features reaction and insight from our Ben DuBose to a handful of recent NBA rumors connected to the Rockets. Those include the New York Knicks’ reported interest in Ime Udoka as head coach; a potential Kevin Durant trade with the Phoenix Suns perhaps getting closer; and free agent Brook Lopez becoming a potential backup plan for Houston, should Steven Adams choose to sign elsewhere.

The Rockets remain a rumored trade suitor for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there hasn’t been much new intel since the NBA’s May 12 draft lottery. With that in mind, Monday’s show explores what Houston’s criteria for any external deal is likely to be in the weeks leading up to the June 25 draft and the June 30 opening of free agency.

The 2025 NBA draft lottery was an all-time shocker, and not in a good way for the Rockets. Despite entering with very low odds of moving up, divisional rivals Dallas and San Antonio are now slotted to pick at No. 1 and No. 2, where Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are considered the consensus top prospects. Houston will pick at No. 10 in the first round.

In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate implications and storylines. Topics include why the Mavs or Spurs making an imminent trade push for Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlikely, but the longer-term concerns might push the Rockets to be a bit more aggressive in the short-term, themselves.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Thursday’s episode reviews Houston’s 2025 playoff run for each of its eight rotation players and head coach Ime Udoka.

Using a “stock up, stock down, and neutral” grading system, the show reviews the good (Amen Thompson, Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet) for the Rockets; the bad (Jalen Green); and everything in between during a seven-game series loss to Golden State.

After fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to tie their first-round series against the Warriors, the Rockets’ 2025 playoff run is over after a home loss in Game 7. 

In the aftermath of a dreadful showing on offense (74 points in the first 45+ minutes), Monday’s show features reaction by our Ben DuBose to what went wrong against Golden State. Topics include the reasons for inefficient showings by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; the spacing limitations of “double big” lineups (Steven Adams and Sengun) when used with Amen Thompson; and a few positives to take out of the near-comeback, starting with Thompson and Fred VanVleet.

After once trailing the Warriors, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets have defied the odds to force a Game 7 in Houston! Saturday’s mini-episode features a compilation of radio calls (via Matt Thomas, Rockets Radio Network) from Friday’s thrilling Game 6 victory at Golden State, along with an exclusive postgame interview (12:00) with veteran center Steven Adams.

After falling behind, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets survived their first elimination game versus the Warriors with a home blowout in Game 5. Can they do the same in Friday’s Game 6 at Golden State and force a decisive Game 7 back in Houston?

With a pivotal weekend ahead, Thursday’s podcast explores what we’ve learned in recent games while sharing some keys to success in Game 6 and hopefully Game 7. Discussion points include recent improvements from Amen Thompson; the roles of Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams as key variables; and the importance of Thompson’s defense versus Steph Curry.