The Houston Rockets have built a modern, versatile roster that thrives on length, switching defense, and multi-positional wings/big men — a perfect blueprint for what some call “mob ball”: bullying opponents with size, overwhelming them on the glass, and suffocating in transition. It’s a style that should come naturally to this group, yet the Rockets have been outrebounded in each of their last four games — a surprising and concerning trend for a team that prioritizes rebounding as a core identity.
Behind Alperen Şengün (the clear long-term anchor at center), the depth chart gets thin and old quickly:
- Clint Capela — 31 years old, 12th NBA season. Still a strong rim-runner and rebounder when healthy, but the athletic decline is visible, and durability has become a real question.
- Steven Adams — 32 years old, 13th season. A legendary rebounder and physical presence in his prime, but he’s coming off major injuries and has shown clear signs of slowing down. There’s no guarantee he returns to even close to his peak level.
With Şengün as the only true young, high-upside center, Houston’s interior rebounding and rim protection are vulnerable if either veteran misses time or continues to regress. That vulnerability has shown up recently — and it’s exactly why the Rockets need to keep adding size and youth to the frontcourt.
The Case for Henri Veesaar in the 2026 Draft
In the latest 2026 NBA mock drafts, Houston is frequently projected to select Henri Veesaar — the 6’11” (sometimes listed 7’0″) Estonian big man — with the 26th pick. Veesaar spent three seasons at Arizona before transferring to North Carolina for his final college year, where he’s having a breakout campaign:
- 16.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
- 61.5% FG, 44.8% 3P (significant volume)
- Efficient inside finisher (excellent touch and shot selection)
- Legitimate floor-spacing threat (46% from three in prior seasons, 44.8% this year)
- Strong rebounder, runs the floor well, connective passer who fits modern offenses
- Solid rim protection and positioning despite not being an explosive leaper
- Physical profile: 6’11″–7’0″ with good mobility, currently around 200–220 lbs (needs to add strength/bulk)
Veesaar projects as a true stretch-five at the NBA level — someone who can space the floor for Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Şengün, pull opposing bigs away from the rim, and still compete on the glass and defensively. He’s underrated as a shot-blocker due to timing and feel rather than elite vertical pop.
Why Veesaar Fits Houston’s “Mob Ball” Vision
- Adds much-needed youth and size behind Şengün without sacrificing shooting/spacing
- Provides another long, switchable body that can guard multiple positions and crash the glass
- Helps fix the rebounding issues that have plagued the last four games
- Fits Ime Udoka’s defensive identity — high motor, positioning, and awareness over pure athleticism
- Long-term upside as a modern big who can play with or next to Şengün in twin-tower looks or small-ball lineups
Houston already has length on the wings (Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, Tari Eason when healthy), but the true center depth behind Şengün is aging and injury-prone. Veesaar would give the Rockets a high-floor, high-ceiling developmental piece who could contribute rotation minutes as early as 2026-27 and grow into a starter-level stretch-five.
Rockets fans, do you love the idea of drafting Henri Veesaar at No. 26 to address rebounding and add youth/size behind Şengün? Or would you prefer they target a veteran big in free agency/buyout instead? How concerned are you about the recent rebounding struggles? Drop your thoughts below — the offseason (and draft) could shape this roster for years!