Houston Rockets Sign Athletic Small Forward Julian Phillips
The Houston Rockets have made a significant move in the 2026 NBA offseason by signing young and athletic small forward Julian Phillips. Phillips, a former McDonald's All-American, joins the Rockets after spending time with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.
What Happened?
On Friday, the Houston Rockets announced the signing of Julian Phillips in an official press release. The team confirmed the addition of the 25-year-old small forward to their roster heading into training camp.
Why It Matters for Houston Rockets
The signing of Julian Phillips is a significant move for the Houston Rockets, who are looking to bolster their roster with young and athletic players. Phillips, who recorded the highest standing vertical leap (36.0 inches) and the best max vertical leap (43.0 inches) at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, is expected to bring a new level of energy and excitement to the team.
What Comes Next?
The Houston Rockets will now look to integrate Phillips into their roster and see how he fits in with the team's existing players. Phillips will likely face competition for a roster spot from other young players, including JD Davison and Oscar Tshiebwe.
The Houston Rockets have had a relatively quiet offseason, but the signing of Julian Phillips is a significant move that could have a major impact on the team's performance next season. With Phillips on board, the Rockets will be looking to build on their recent form, which has seen them win two of their last five games (Recent form: 2W-0D-3L, LWWLL, most recent first).
Last result: Houston Rockets 78-98 Los Angeles Lakers (2026-05-02).
Julian Phillips' NBA Career
Phillips, who was selected 35th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2023 NBA draft, has spent time with the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 2.2 points in 40 games for the Bulls and made 13 appearances for the Timberwolves, who acquired him in a trade for Ayo Dosunmu.
Phillips has career averages of 3.6 points and 1.5 rebounds on 42.4% shooting from the field. He is one of the most athletic young players in the league, but he has yet to get a real opportunity.
The Houston Rockets have added several players to their roster this offseason, including Fred VanVleet, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Marcus Smart. The team has also brought back Jae'Sean Tate and Tari Eason, but lost Josh Okogie in free agency and traded Dorian Finney-Smith to the Charlotte Hornets.
As for rookies, the Rockets have signed Bruce Thornton and Isaiah Crawford. They still have one more two-way spot left, which could be filled by Julian Phillips or Oscar Tshiebwe.
The signing of Julian Phillips is a significant move for the Houston Rockets, who are looking to build a competitive team for next season. With Phillips on board, the Rockets will be looking to make a push for the playoffs and establish themselves as a contender in the Western Conference.
