The Rockets are 0-0 with camp down to 18 players after waiving two-way center Rafael Castro on October 1. Preseason opens Friday at Dallas, with Oct. 21 against the same Mavericks marking the real opener.
Last week
Houston waived two-way center Rafael Castro on October 1, the second roster subtraction since Jeff Green and Aaron Holiday left on September 21. No replacement has been reported for either move. The roster stands at 18, with Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet anchoring it into camp.
This week
The preseason schedule opens Friday, October 9, at Dallas on NBA TV, with a return matchup at Toyota Center on October 11, also against the Mavericks. Oklahoma City visits October 15 before the regular-season opener, a third meeting with Dallas, on October 21.
Camp status
Steven Adams was cleared from day-to-day on September 29, then listed day-to-day again the same day. No update has followed. Seven notes columns since September 11 have cycled through Sengun, Thompson, VanVleet, Smart and Udoka without adding a detail beyond Durant's September 13 comment about wanting to play for Team USA in 2028.
Payroll
Houston's payroll sits at $205.5 million, $5.1 million above the $200.4 million tax line, led by Durant's $43.9 million, Sengun's $35.6 million and VanVleet's $25 million player option. That bill buys a core the front office plans to keep together as the season approaches.
When do the Rockets play their first game this season?
Houston opens the preseason Friday, October 9, at Dallas, then hosts the Mavericks again October 11 before the regular-season opener October 21, also against Dallas.
Are the Rockets over the luxury tax?
Yes. Houston's payroll of $205.5 million sits $5.1 million above the $200.4 million tax line for 2026-27.
