In the opening game of the new season, the Rockets lost to the defending champion Thunder 124-125 in double overtime.
After the game, reporter Evan Cohen tweeted: "If I were the Rockets management, I would pursue Derrick White with all my strength. Houston must get him! The team has neither renewed Tari Eason's contract nor started Reed Shepard. What's worse is that Fred VanVleet, who has a high salary, is still absent due to injury - there is absolutely room for maneuver to reunite White with former Celtics coach Udoka through a trade."