2026-27 Rockets Fantasy Preview
The Rockets were one of the quieter teams this offseason, opting to keep their core intact. With continuity on their side, which players are poised to take the next step and deliver more fantasy value in 2026-27?
Kevin Durant, SG/SF/PF
📊 Trend: ↔️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, AST, 3PM, FG%, FT%
⚠️ Risk: 🟠 Medium
🔓 Value Unlock: Stay injury-free
💡 Quick Hits: At 37, Durant's efficient scoring has stood the test of time. He played 78 games in 2025-26 and has averaged 71.7 games over the past three seasons.
❓ Big Question(s): Is it too soon to finally factor in an expected steep decline from KD?
🎯 Draft Range: 14-18
⭐ Fantasy Take: Despite recent stability in games played, the market has been slowly discounting KD over the last few seasons. So far, he’s proved doubters wrong. The game and numbers are still there. He just needs to play enough games to make them count in fantasy.
Amen Thompson, PG/SG/SF
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, AST, STL, FG%
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Improve 3PM, add more BPG
💡 Quick Hits: Amen saw a nice jump in production and value last season, thanks in part to the season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet. Thompson showed that he’s a do-it-all guard, whose biggest weakness is his lack of 3-point shooting.
❓ Big Question(s): The Rockets hired legendary shooting coach Chip Engelland over the offseason; can he unlock Amen’s shooting from downtown?
🎯 Draft Range: 30-35
⭐ Fantasy Take: Fred VanVleet is set to return from his ACL injury, which could spell a decline in Thompson’s playmaking duties. That shouldn’t dissuade managers from betting on Thompson elevating his game further in 2026-27.
Alperen Sengün, C
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, AST, FG%
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: FT%, further improve on defense
💡 Quick Hits: engün showed encouraging improvement defensively last season, a key factor behind his rising fantasy value. The big man is still working on rounding out his game and should see further growth in 2026-27.
❓ Big Question(s): While it’s clear that we haven’t seen the best version of Sengün yet, how much better can he get in fantasy?
🎯 Draft Range: 45-55
⭐ Fantasy Take: While Sengün’s defense has been questioned in the past, we now should look at his improving range. If he can hit at least one 3-pointer per game, his fantasy stock should rise.
Reed Sheppard, PG/SG
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: STL, 3PM, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Improve AST and FG%
💡 Quick Hits: Sheppard got off to a sluggish start in 2025-26, but closed out the season as a solid source of steals and 3-point shooting. He’s developing into the two-way threat many expected him to become.
❓ Big Question(s): How much will the return of Fred VanVleet (ACL) affect Sheppard’s year 3 progression?
🎯 Draft Range: 75-80
⭐ Fantasy Take: I’m optimistic Sheppard will see an increase in value in 2026-27, both in real life and in fantasy. He’s going to be a sneaky-good pick if you can get him late enough.
Fred VanVleet, PG
📊 Trend: ⬇️
🗝️ Key Stats: AST, STL, 3PM
⚠️ Risk: 🔴 High
🔓 Value Unlock: Steady AST and STL, despite the steady decline
💡 Quick Hits: FVV tore his ACL and meniscus in 2025-26, abruptly ending his season. He exercised his player option for 2026-27 and is slated to make his return during the preseason. Even before his unfortunate injury, there was already some decline in his fantasy production.
❓ Big Question(s): Coming off a devastating injury, how much does FVV have left to offer?
🎯 Draft Range: 110-125
⭐ Fantasy Take: Given the risk that VanVleet will be unable to return completely to his pre-injury form, it’s good to shift his outlook to being a late-round booster for 3s, assists and steals.
Jabari Smith Jr., SF/PF/C
📊 Trend: ↔️
🗝️ Key Stats: REB, 3PM
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Improved FG% and defensive stats
💡 Quick Hits: It appears that Smith has found a low-end fantasy tier. His continued lack of blocks and steals keeps him from becoming a reliable 3-and-D stretch four.
❓ Big Question(s): Smith has been a fantasy holding pattern; are we in a “what you see is what you get” situation with him already?
🎯 Draft Range: 110-120
⭐ Fantasy Take: Smith can be viewed as a low-risk, but also low-ceiling guy.
Tari Eason, SG/SF/PF
📊 Trend: ⬇️
🗝️ Key Stats: REB, STL, 3PM
⚠️ Risk: 🟢➡️🟠 Low to Medium
🔓 Value Unlock: Confidence and consistency
💡 Quick Hits: Eason was once a cult favorite in fantasy for his ability to provide solid rebounding, steals, and 3-point shooting from the forward position. Unfortunately, he fell into an overthinking phase last season, and his value fell off a cliff.
❓ Big Question(s): Eason is a player who knows what needs to get done to win games. Can he find a way to translate that onto the box scores?
🎯 Draft Range: 150-170
⭐ Fantasy Take: Eason had a down season last year, but is fully capable of bouncing back. He’s shown enough quality performances in the past to keep managers optimistic, keeping him worthy of a flier pick.
👀 Players to Watch: Marcus Smart
