Rockets LaunchPod

The Rockets opened 2026 free agency with a series of moves, including the external signings of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic; the re-signing of restricted free agent Tari Eason; and the departures of Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie. In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments in Houston, including what appears to be a strategy to dip below the...

The NBA’s 2026 free agency window is now open for business, and the Rockets quickly reached agreements to sign both Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović. In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose reviews the basketball and salary cap implications of both deals while also exploring the implications for the remainder of Houston’s roster and the rest of the offseason.

As the NBA’s 2026 free agency window opens, the Houston Rockets suddenly find themselves with more veteran insurance in the backcourt. Fred VanVleet officially opted into the final year of his previous contract, while Lakers guard Marcus Smart looks to be on the way as an external addition. Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Tuesday’s show breaks down all the key implications of those moves whi...

This week’s NBA draft concluded with the Houston Rockets adding Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton (second round) and North Carolina State guard/wing Quadir Copeland (UDFA) to their 2026-27 roster. In Thursday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to the implications of both additions. The episode also looks ahead to the June 30 launch date of 2026 free agency, including internal contract considerations for...

Tuesday’s SportsTalk 790 interview features insight from Ben DuBose on what the Rockets are likely to do and consider during this week’s NBA Draft. Topics include players that could be on the trading block; whether Houston could move into the first round; and considerations for the team’s two second-round selections at No. 39 and No. 53, overall.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Thursday’s show features insight and analysis pertaining to the 2026 NBA Finals, and specifically those Spurs-Knicks storylines with implications for the Rockets. The initial segment explores what fans should (and shouldn’t) take away from Stephon Castle’s stated preference to land in San Antonio — and not Houston — in the 2024 draft. The episode then transiti...

Championship yellow is back, as is the Dunkstronaut! Jose Lopez, senior creative director of the Rockets, and Taylor French, director of marketing operations, speak with Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty regarding Houston’s new look for the 2026-27 season and beyond. Discussion topics include the intentionality behind changing the logos, jerseys, and uniforms; the process of working with the NBA, Nike,...

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 Housto...

To quote Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, a “frustrating and disappointing season” concluded with Friday’s series-ending loss in Game 6 versus the Los Angeles Lakers. For a second straight year, Houston went 52-30 in the regular season before bowing out in the first round of the NBA playoffs. With that in mind, hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments surrounding...

Today’s episode features Matt Thomas , radio play-by-play voice of the Rockets, calling the second-half highlights of Wednesday’s thrilling Game 5 victory in Los Angeles.  With the Lakers now up 3-2 in the series, Game 6 is Friday night in Houston. The Rockets are hoping to become the first team in NBA playoff history (0-160) to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win, and they are already one of onl...

No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after trailing 3-0. Can these Houston Rockets, who remain without injured star Kevin Durant, somehow pull it off against LeBron James and the Lakers (who still have a 3-1 lead)? Ahead of Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 in Los Angeles, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves are joined by ClutchFans’ Dave Hardisty to explore the lay of the land. Topics include the outlook fo...

Despite drawing what appeared to be a friendly first-round matchup, the Rockets now trail 2-0 in their best-of-seven series versus the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers. With Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves as hosts, Thursday’s episode offers background and perspective on all the key takeaways from the 2026 NBA playoffs. The show begins by discussing the reasons behind Houston’s offensive downturn and wh...

Did Kevin Durant and the Rockets (52-30, No. 5 in Western Conference) get an unexpected gift by drawing LeBron James and the injury riddled Lakers (53-29, No. 4) as their first-round opponent? Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Wednesday’s show breaks down the pros and cons of the playoff matchup, from a Houston perspective. Topics include series X-factors; where things could go right or wrong;...

As the 2026 playoffs approach, the Rockets are on a season-best winning streak of six games and counting, and they could be peaking at the right time. Houston (49-29) enters Tuesday at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings and within a game of the injury ravaged Los Angeles Lakers (50-28), and their struggles might lead the Rockets to a friendlier postseason matchup and possibly even home-cour...

Led by a resurgent showing from Alperen Sengun, Houston (45-29) enters the final day of March on a winning streak. So, in their last eight games before the NBA’s 2026 playoffs, can the Rockets finally heat up and put themselves in position to make a run? In Tuesday’s episode, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the highs and lows of the team’s recent play. Topics include Sengun’s upward trajecto...

In perhaps the most memorable game yet of Houston’s 2025-26 season, Amen Thompson hit a game-winning tip shot at the buzzer as the Rockets rallied past Miami. At 43-27, Houston remains at No. 4 in the tightly packed Western Conference standings, which would put the Rockets in line to hold home-court advantage in at least one round of the 2026 playoffs. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Satur...

After two ugly losses in three games, the Rockets (39-24) have fallen back to No. 4 in the Western Conference and are close to falling out of the top four altogether — which would mean starting the 2026 playoffs on the road. So, what should Houston fans take away after a pair of concerning defeats to San Antonio and Golden State? Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the key takeaways, including s...

With another strong showing in Monday’s victory at Washington, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is clearly making a push to start and finish more games. Houston (38-22) is now 5-2 since the All-Star break while continuing to hold the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings. Featuring Ben DuBose, ClutchFans’ Dave Hardisty, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com , our Rockets-Wizards postgame show r...

Even after losing Saturday’s game at Miami, the Rockets (37-22) remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings. When factoring in widespread injuries throughout Houston’s roster, things could certainly be a lot worse. Yet, even with Kevin Durant in All-NBA form, there are still several questions to answer as the Rockets embark upon the final weeks of the regular season and what they hope is a...

Kevin Durant, burner or not, was scorching (35 points, 70% FG) in Houston’s 105-101 victory at Charlotte. With the win, the Rockets (34-20) moved up to the No. 3 spot in the tightly packed Western Conference standings. Featuring Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty, and Michael Shapiro of Chron.com, Thursday night’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show reacts to all the key takeaways. Discussion topics include Du...

The Rockets entered the NBA’s 2026 All-Star break at 33-20 and No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, and they exit with something of a scandal on their hands. Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Wednesday’s episode breaks down the alleged Kevin Durant “burner” controversy, along with reasons for on-court optimism heading into the final 29 games of the regular season. The show also looks ahe...

Houston didn’t make a move at Thursday’s in-season trade deadline, but the Rockets did get a much-needed victory in Saturday’s 112-106 win at Oklahoma City. For the Rockets, it's their first win of 2025-26 against the defending NBA champs. Houston (32-19) remains at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, while the top-seeded Thunder (40-13) continue to own the league’s best record. Featuring B...

The NBA’s in-season trade deadline is this Thursday, and the Rockets are 8-2 in their last 10 games. So, is Houston (31-17, No. 4 in 2025-26 Western Conference) more or less likely to make a move? In our latest full show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down the pros and cons, including maximizing the Kevin Durant window while ensuring that the 2026-27 team is still set up for success.

On a relative off night for Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, it was two of Houston’s emerging talents — Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. — who made the difference in Saturday’s close win over Dallas. With the victory, the Rockets (30-17) enter February at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show reacts to all the key s...

After going 0-3 in December on the second game of back-to-backs, the Rockets are 3-0 in January — and elite performances by 37-year-old Kevin Durant continue to be the biggest reason. With Thursday’s win at Atlanta, Houston (29-17) remains at No. 4 in the Western Conference. Hosted by Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame recap breaks down all the key takeaways. Topics inclu...