The Houston Rockets are entering the 2025–26 NBA season with one of the longest, most intimidating rosters in recent memory. Ten of their players boast wingspans of seven feet or longer, giving Houston an unprecedented combination of size, reach, and defensive potential across all five positions.
Here’s the full list of their skyscraper lineup:
– Steven Adams – 7’5″
– Clint Capela – 7’5″
– Kevin Durant – 7’5″
– Tari Eason – 7’2″
– Jabari Smith Jr. – 7’1″
– Jeff Green – 7’1″
– Alperen Sengun – 7’0″
– Amen Thompson – 7’0″
– Dorian Finney-Smith – 7’0″
– Josh Okogie – 7’0″
That kind of length across a rotation is unheard of in the modern NBA, and it makes Houston one of the most difficult teams to score on. The Rockets were already one of the league’s top defensive teams last year, finishing 5th in defensive rating (110.3).
Now, with their new additions and this freakish wingspan advantage, it’s easy to see why many analysts believe Houston could rise even higher in that ranking.
But this is not just a defensive team anymore. The Rockets also ranked 12th in offensive rating (114.9) last season, and that number is expected to jump considerably thanks to one man: Kevin Durant.
Durant’s arrival changed everything. Acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to Phoenix, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer gives Houston the elite shot creation they’ve lacked since James Harden’s exit.
Even at this stage of his career, Durant remains a top-tier scorer and one of the toughest players in the league to defend.
The front office didn’t stop there. They brought in Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, two players who instantly elevate their rebounding and defensive versatility.
Meanwhile, Steven Adams’ contract was extended to maintain leadership and toughness inside. The team also secured long-term deals for Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr., ensuring that the core remains intact for years to come.
However, not everything is perfect in Houston. Fred VanVleet suffered an Achilles injury just days ago, sidelining him indefinitely.
Without their floor general, the Rockets will likely lean on Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant to handle more playmaking duties early in the season. Due to cap restrictions, the Rockets can’t sign another point guard until December 15, leaving them without a true facilitator to start the year.
Still, the optimism around this team is sky-high. Their balance of youth and veteran presence, combined with an overwhelming physical advantage, makes Houston a nightmare matchup for nearly every team in the league.
Players like Eason, Finney-Smith, and Okogie can switch across multiple positions, while the twin towers of Capela and Adams will dominate the boards and protect the rim.
Even without VanVleet, the Rockets have the tools to compete with anyone. They won the offseason by blending elite size with All-Star talent and maintaining roster depth without mortgaging their future.
In short, the Rockets are long, loaded, and ready to lock teams down. And interestingly, they’re built in a similar mold to the Atlanta Hawks, who also boast 14 players standing 6’8″ or taller, two of the tallest, most physically imposing teams heading into the 2025–26 season.
