Expectations surrounding the Houston Rockets were high following the 2024-25 NBA season. A 55-win season marked the Rockets' best performance of the 2020s, and even though they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Houston fans were still excited to see what the future would hold.
Well, it's safe to say few teams are having as good of an offseason as general manager Rafael Stone & Co. The Rockets retained key free agents Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae'Sean Tate while also bringing in veterans Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith. Tha
That's without mentioning the blockbuster trade saw the Phoenix Suns deal Kevin Durant to the Rockets, which cost the latter Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick, and five future second-rounders. It's a fair price to pay if the former NBA MVP helps bring a title to Houston.
The other 29 teams have every reason to be jealous of the Rockets' offseason. In fact, one rival player has made it clear that Houston's recent moves are living in his mind rent-free.
Rockets' Offseason is Living Rent-Free in Mavericks C Dereck Lively II's Mind
Earlier this week, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II inadvertently revealed that Houston's offseason has caught his attention. The 21-year-old rebounder recently posted an Instagram story (h/t @Mavs_FFL) comparing the Mavericks and Rockets' starting lineups following the various offseason moves.
First-overall pick Cooper Flagg is the Mavericks' lone addition to their starting lineup, whereas Finney-Smith and Durant are the newest names to join the Rockets' starters.
DLive’s IG story: pic.twitter.com/Dt0IlG5TJ1
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) July 2, 2025
Even though the Texas-based teams have yet to collide following their offseason moves, it isn't hard to give the early edge to Houston.
The Mavericks are an aging team that just missed the NBA playoffs. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are much closer to the end of their respective careers than the beginning, while Anthony Davis' injury history is well-documented at this point, and his health could continue being a concern after turning 32 years old in March.
Flagg might go on to have a superstar-like career, but he's yet to play an NBA game. Meanwhile, Lively is only entering his third campaign and has yet to average double-digit point or rebound totals.
As for the Rockets, their outlook is much brighter. VanVleet is a proven leader, while Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun are two of the Association's brightest young players, coming off NBA All-Defensive first-team and All-Star campaigns, respectively. Adding Finney-Smith — one of the best defenders in the league — and Durant — a top-15 player in NBA history — to the mix instantly makes Houston one of the top teams to beat.
The 2025-26 NBA schedule isn't available just yet, meaning the Rockets will have to wait to find out when they'll give Lively and the Mavericks their first taste of what GM Stone has been cooking.