With marquee external additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, along with efficient contract extensions for key personnel such as Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Ime Udoka, the Rockets have turned heads throughout the NBA with their 2025 offseason. According to oddsmakers, they’re now among the leading championship contenders for the 2026 NBA Finals.
In Wednesday’s episode of The Lager Line (sponsored by Houston’s Karbach Brewing), our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest news from free agency’s opening days.
Discussion topics on the July 2 podcast include why the Finney-Smith signing could make the Durant trade look even better; the implications of Capela’s surprising deal on future luxury tax considerations; and why leaders such as Rafael Stone and Patrick Fertitta deserve every bit of the praise they’re receiving around the league.
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