Houston's 2025-26 starting five is set with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. as starters, with a fluid battle for the fifth spot among Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, and Steven Adams. The mix of a star guard, a versatile frontcourt, and a defensive backbone creates a high ceiling and clear fantasy implications as Udoka tests lineups in the preseason.

Durant's gravity should lift Smith and Sengun for easier looks, while Smith’s return to the starting unit signals a continued two-way impact. The guard rotation around Thompson will determine late-game playmaking, with Sheppard and Eason offering value if extended minutes materialize. Openers vs. Atlanta in the preseason will begin the evaluation.

High Score reshapes weekly fantasy basketball by rewarding big weekly ceilings in assists and steals with minimal turnovers. Five sleepers outside the top 100 ADP stand out: Kevin Porter Jr., Reed Sheppard, Jaden Ivey, Stephon Castle and Isaiah Collier, each equipped for spike weeks with 30+ minutes and heavy usage.

Additional upside comes from Kyshawn George, Dennis Schröder, Ayo Dosunmu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Davion Mitchell, who bring late-round dart throws in punt-turnover builds. Together they map a flexible strategy for weekly winners in 2025-26.

Dorian Finney-Smith will miss the start of Houston’s season after ankle surgery, compounding the Rockets’ depth issues as Fred VanVleet eyes an extended absence with a torn ACL. Finney-Smith’s absence thrusts Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard into bigger roles, with Amen Thompson handling more ball-handling duties. Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate must provide spacing and veteran leadership while Houston navigates a shaky start and seeks to recapture its shooting identity.

In the short term, Smith Jr. and Eason become focal points on the wings, Sheppard gains chances to contribute as a secondary playmaker, and Green/Tate pick up minutes to stabilize. The Rockets must bridge a gap in 3-point shooting and playmaking as they wait for Finney-Smith and VanVleet to return, testing how the young core adapts to extended roles and a new rotation dynamic.