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ClutchFans: Rockets GM Rafael Stone NBA Summer League interview: - Really likes rookie Bruce Thornton - the unique build, physicality, shotmaking and ability to take care of the ball. Test will be if he can translate that to the next level. - Very excited about Marcus Smart's versatility. "Feels like a Rocket so I'm glad we could finally make it happen." He says he's happy with him defending any position, including at center. - Loves the defensive switchability options the Rockets now have with Smart, Jabari, Tari and Amen. - Wants to take the minutes load off of Kevin Durant this season. - Says Reed Sheppard has "put on a ton of good weight, a bunch of muscle."
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone spoke to media for ~8 minutes. Couple big takeaways - As of right now, everyone is on track to be a full go at training camp - Wanted to add more ballhandling/passing, felt like they did that w Bogi and Smart - Guesstimated that Reed Sheppard added ~10 pounds
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone, asked if Reed Sheppard is Houston's starting point guard down the road. "My expectation for him is he should be. I think he should be a really good one. I think that's his expectation for himself as well."
Stone said he doesn’t believe in “going to get a point guard because they’re a point guard.” He explained that rather than acquire a strong ballhandler and passer who is a weak defender and shooter, the Rockets would rather cobble the point guard position together. “No one guards (some point guards) after they make the initial pass and then on the other end, they’re just a sieve,” he said. “And those players do exist in the NBA. There’s quite a few of them and they’re available. But I didn’t think that would make us better on the whole.”
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“I don’t see (team governor) Tilman (Fertitta) ever wanting to take a step back that isn’t strategic,” Stone said. “If we weren’t (in the tax), it’s because of some opportunity to do something else that is basketball related.”
Varun Shankar: Stone: "The offseason plan isn't, '[FVV/Adams are] coming back, it's fine.' "I think it's much more looking at our young guys and saying, 'You guys need to improve.'" Stone noted that the young guys showed improvement throughout the 25-26 season.
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone said doesn't feel adding a PG for PG's sake is helpful. Doesn't want someone who just gets you into sets / isn't a threat after the initial pass / can't defend or shoot.
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone and Ime Udoka both say this team should have won more games. Stone called the season frustrating. Didn't say firmly if team would make big moves but said even if HOU doesn't, expects growth from young players (mentioned Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard) to lead to addnl success.
At this juncture, there are no plans to move on from either Udoka or general manager Rafael Stone, sources told Yahoo Sports. Ownership has remained steadfast in its belief in a three-pronged leadership sector because of a combination of the turnaround in recent years and consecutive 50-win seasons, the latter of which was marked by major injuries — resulting in confidence from the top down.
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NBA Communications: The voting panel for the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award consisted of basketball executives from NBA teams. Complete voting results ⬇️
The voting panel for the 2025-26 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award consisted of basketball executives from NBA teams.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 28, 2026
Complete voting results ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uPIrI0Uzvn
You said after the trade deadline that there were moments because of those injuries that you thought “is this just not our year” but that the team’s performance at that point made you think that wasn’t the case. A couple months after that, how do you feel about the comment and this team’s upside? Rafael Stone: I regret the comment because I’m aware enough to know that multiple people have taken it out of context and used it extraordinarily inappropriately. Used it in the opposite of the way it was meant. Shame on them. But so, because of that, I regret it. The concept behind it I still agree with, which is that this team has been super competitive all year, and I’m happy for them and happy with the overall group’s progress, and excited to see what we can do in the playoffs.
With the lack of continuity that this group had and the importance you place on it, do you think that the core of this team showed enough for you to say next year we want to see what we look like with Fred and Steven healthy? Or do you expect larger changes? Rafael Stone: I really like our team. When it’s fully healthy, I’d love to see it, but we didn’t. Someone in my shoes should never say I’m going to make huge changes or I’m not going to. There are teams I suppose that have run their course where players are older, maybe a reset is needed. I guess that was the first year of my tenure. But since then, you do what the market dictates and the opportunities presented to yourself. But I like this team. I think we’ve seen growth throughout the course of the year with individual players getting better.
How do you feel like Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard performed at point guard? Rafael Stone: Great. I think they did really, really well. Especially Amen, with respect to the "at point guard," when he was on the court, we were really an elite team all year. With Reed, I’m just incredibly happy with his progress. I think he’s just done exceptionally well. A lot of it though is he has room for more growth than Amen does. They both have a lot of room for growth. But I think Reed took really important steps and is becoming the dynamic player we thought we could see. We need more consistency. He’s got to really shore up his weaknesses but I think both had great years and I’m very happy for both of them, that they got the reps that they had.
