Houston Rockets
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Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Steven Adams
Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...ts-2025-2026-nba-player-previews-steven-adams
In February 2024, I was overjoyed when the Houston Rockets acquired Steven Adams through a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. It had been entertaining to watch Adams and follow his career from Memphis to New Orleans to Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, Adams was recovering from surgery for a PCL sprain, so we had to wait until the following season to watch him play.
Adams was constrained by load management and injuries during the previous season. He averaged 13.7 minutes per game, scoring 3.9 points and pulling down 5.6 rebounds in 58 regular-season games.
Even though he only played a few minutes, he had an impact at times. He had one of his highest offensive rebounding rates ever.
His playing time increased during the playoffs, and he displayed glimpses of taking on more responsibility. As such, Adams signed a three-year, fully guaranteed, $39 million contract extension with the Rockets in the offseason.
Houston is now using “double-big” lineups, such as Adams and Alperen Şengün, to take advantage of their size and interior toughness.
Adams will probably play backup center behind Şengün, but he will have more opportunities than he did in 2024–2025, particularly in games where Houston wants more rebounding or physicality.He may also start in some lineups, particularly when Houston wants to use two big men (Adams + Şengün) together. He will be used sparingly, particularly in heavy interior matchups or the second unit.
One of his main weapons will be his offensive rebounding. He had one of his best offensive rebound rates last season, despite playing a few minutes.
He is physically present in the paint and a powerful screen setter. His intangibles—boxing out, enlisting assistance, and changing shots—should provide value beyond the box score, even if his counting stats are modest. When paired with Şengün, he can anchor the rim defensively, allowing for more switching or assisting with perimeter defense. Houston is expected to carefully manage his minutes due to his history of injuries and the fact that he was eased back last season, particularly when playing back-to-back games.
In order to protect his body throughout the remainder of the season, there will probably be “maintenance” or rest days, particularly in less important games.
Durability and health: He must maintain his health. Any setback might reduce his role or allow other players (like Clint Capela) to play more minutes.
The Rockets will benefit from having Steven Adams in 2025–2026; he is not a star, but a tough, hardworking veteran who can have a small impact. He can help in rebounding battles, add toughness in the paint, and solidify the center depth if Houston uses him wisely (by managing his load, deploying him in favorable matchups, and leveraging his strengths).
He might see a slight increase in playing time and counting statistics if all goes according to plan, particularly in playoff games or against teams with limited interior strength. However, his greatest influence will probably be felt in those intangible areas, like screens, boxouts, accelerating the game, and giving Şengün a break without compromising interior defense.
As always, we will see what happens once the season starts, but I look forward to seeing Adams on the court this season.
Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...ts-2025-2026-nba-player-previews-steven-adams
