Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone Discusses Kevin Durant, Jalen Green, and Offseason Moves
Houston Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone spoke to the media on Monday, sharing insights about the team’s offseason activities, including the trade for Kevin Durant, developments around Jalen Green, and other key roster moves.
Since the start of the offseason, the Rockets have been the most active team in the NBA. They’ve made several notable moves, such as signing Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, extending Ime Udoka and Jabari Smith, and securing a trade for Kevin Durant. These actions signal that the Rockets are shifting their focus from player development to championship contention after three seasons of rebuilding and prioritizing the growth of younger talent—even at the cost of more losses. This rebuilding phase followed the trade of James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and resulted in Houston’s worst three-year stretch in franchise history.
The team’s strategy began to evolve after the 2022 season, as they began adding established players to complement their young core and take the team to the next level. Stone addressed the recent moves, including the decision to acquire Kevin Durant, Jalen Green’s future, and the trade of Cam Whitmore.
When asked about the Durant trade, Stone admitted it wasn’t an easy decision but ultimately stated that acquiring one of the league’s best offensive players was an opportunity too good to pass up. The trade also marked the latest in a series of significant moves, including the recent deal that sent Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards. Stone explained that Whitmore had fallen out of the Rockets’ rotation after a promising rookie season, and the trade would give him a better chance to earn playing time in Washington.
Following the trade of Jalen Green to the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets are now short one guard. When asked about adding more backcourt depth, Stone pointed out that after the free-agent signings of Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, the Rockets are nearing the first luxury tax apron and don’t have much more room to make additional moves. This suggests that the current roster is likely to remain unchanged heading into the season.
Stone also discussed the addition of Clint Capela, explaining that the Rockets didn’t expect to land him initially due to their existing centers, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. However, Stone believes Capela will provide a more mobile option at center, enhancing their lineup for the upcoming season.
Throughout the interview, Stone emphasized that the Rockets are no longer in the developmental phase. With all the offseason moves, it’s clear that the team is now ready to compete for a championship in the 2025-26 season. The Rockets’ aggressive moves indicate they are serious about making a run at the title in the near future.
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