The Rockets added a pair of veterans to their roster in Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marcus Smart on Wednesday as free agency is in full swing. Smart, a stellar defensive guard, reunites with Coach Ime Udoka and Bogdanovic, a consistent distance shooter, it is hoped, will add another scoring dimension to a team that often struggled in that department.
Meanwhile, the Rockets extended a qualifying offer to Tari Eason, the young wing who, when healthy, remains one of the team’s best defenders. Eason is a restricted free agent meaning the Rockets have the right to match any offer he receives on the market. Their moves to sign Smart and Bogdanovic, along with Fred VanVleet opting into his one-year $25 million contract for next season, still allow the Rockets some financial wiggle room for Eason.
Smart, 32, was a former defensive player of the year award winner in Boston and a starter for the Lakers last season. He declined his player option to join the Rockets for two years, $13 million (the second year is player option) and should play a critical role off the bench for this team.
Bogdanovic, 33, is a career 38 percent three point shooter despite a down year with the Clippers in 2025-26. He still has the ability to create his own shot and with a six-foot-eleven-inch wingspan can shoot over most defenders.
The Rockets are desperately in need of more shooters to add to a roster that is already great on defense. Bogdanovic should help with that part and Smart will continue to shore up Udoka’s defense even if they were to lose Eason in free agency.
This does continue to make the Rockets older with a pair of players who have some injury history, but it does create real depth for a team that relied on fringe players like Aaron Holiday, Josh Okogie, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Getting back VanVleet and center Steven Adams will also make the roster look more formidable if injury prone.
Next up is a decision on Eason, which should come relatively soon. What happens with Eason will determine the next moves for the Rockets on the trade front or via free agency.
