What happened: Houston sent Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green to Phoenix in last summer's deal for Kevin Durant. His exit removed a wing who guarded lead scorers, spaced the floor and supplied emergency shot creation.
Why it matters: The change pushed Amen Thompson toward more on-ball star assignments and away from passing lanes and weakside blocks. Marcus Smart's arrival gives Houston another veteran option for those matchups in 2026-27.
By the numbers: Houston's defensive rating rose from 110.3, fifth in 2024-25, to 112.1, sixth in 2025-26. Thompson's DBPM fell from 2.6 to 1.0, while Brooks' three-point percentage dropped from 39.7% in his final Houston season to 34.4% with Phoenix.
What to watch: Watch Thompson's matchup load and off-ball activity early in 2026-27.