On July 24, according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the Houston Rockets made another move in the free agent market and officially signed wing defender Josh Okogie. The two sides reached a one-year contract with a total value of $3.1 million. Okogie will wear the Rockets jersey in the 2025-26 season and inject more vitality into the team's defense.

In the middle of last season, the Suns traded Okogie to the Hornets as part of a trade for Nick Richards. During his time with the Hornets, Okogie played in 15 games, averaging 18.3 minutes per game, scoring 8.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks, which is a remarkable statistic.

Okogie's biggest advantage is his defensive positivity and tenacity. He can defend multiple positions and has a certain ability to steal. He is a typical defensive forward. However, his shortcomings on the offensive end are equally obvious. His career three-point shooting percentage is only 29.9% , and it is as low as 17.6% in the playoffs . Three-point shooting has always been an important factor limiting his playing time. For a modern basketball system that focuses on space and efficiency, such offensive performance is inevitably a major concern.

Considering that the Rockets already have a young core like Amen Thompson who has the ability to hold the ball and organize, Okogie's playing time may be affected to a certain extent. Amen will be given more room to grow in the new season, which also means that Okogie will face considerable pressure in competing for a rotation position.

In any case, the Rockets' choice to sign Okogie is enough to show the team's intention to strengthen the defensive end. If he can improve his offensive efficiency and stabilize his shooting touch, he may still find a place in coach Ime Udoka's system. The new season is about to start, and whether Okogie can gain a foothold in the Rockets is worth the fans' continued attention.