Houston’s 2026 offseason additions of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic are already making serious waves, with All-Star forward Kevin Durant calling their work ethic “incredible” after just a few practices. While optimism for the 2026-27 NBA season often centers on Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams returning from injury, it’s these two free agent guards who are grabbing attention. Coach Ime Udoka has them poised for his initial rotation, albeit off the bench, and Durant’s early read on them is huge.
Durant: “It Makes Me Go Harder”
Durant did not hold back when asked about his first impressions of the newcomers. He told Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire, “Man, just incredible. I can’t say enough about both of their work ethics.” Bogdanovic, specifically, has blown him away. Durant said he always knew Bogi was a worker, but seeing his daily pace and how hard he goes every rep is “inspiring” and “makes me go harder.” Considering Bogdanovic has battled through “a lot of injuries and a lot of difficult situations,” his approach to every day “like he’s a rookie” is a powerful statement.
Smart is no different, according to Durant. He called Smart “a true vet that understands his role on the team every day, and he’s there to serve his teammates.” Durant admitted that while you hear things about these guys from afar, “you don’t know what it is until you get up close to them, and all the stuff they say is pretty true about those guys.” The on-court chemistry is already forming too. Durant noted that after just a few conversations with Bogdanovic and Smart, they’re already “kind of play[ing] off of each other” without even talking much during subsequent possessions. He figures that more time off the court will only make that connection easier.
What Smart and Bogdanovic Bring Beyond the Hype
Beyond inspiring an All-Star, these veterans bring serious skills. Marcus Smart, 32, is a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, an award he won with Udoka on the 2021-22 Boston Celtics. He also offers crucial insurance as an additional ball-handler for Houston. Bogdanovic, 34, is a career 38.1% shooter from 3-point range. Udoka has already given him props for his off-ball movement, a skill that could be vital for a Rockets squad that got blasted last season for its “stagnant halfcourt offense.”
But it is not just about stats or specific roles. The presence of these long-tenured NBA veterans should bring some much-needed balance to a rotation that was incredibly young last season, especially after VanVleet and Adams went down with season-ending injuries. Outside of Durant, the team was missing that experienced voice. Combining Houston’s young core and Durant with these quality veterans is a clear strategy for a better overall mix in the 2026-27 season.
The Rockets are coming off two straight 52-30 regular seasons, but both ended in first-round Western Conference playoff losses. Udoka has made it crystal clear: expectations are higher this season. He even said that what he has seen in initial practices from his team has “almost exceeded our expectations.”
Houston’s preseason slate kicks off in just one week in China against the Dallas Mavericks. That long trip will offer Bogdanovic and Smart even more time to build those crucial bonds with their new teammates. Can this new veteran leadership push the Rockets past the first round this year? Every possession matters when expectations are this high.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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