For the past few months, the Houston Rockets have been a popular team in trade rumors. At one point, they reportedly had interest in players like Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jimmy Butler. Additionally, they have been rumored to make players like Jalen Green, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson available for trade. Regardless of the rumors, a blockbuster trade is not on the horizon for the Rockets.
According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, the Rockets are “very adamantly” not interested in breaking up their core this season.
“I just spent some time around the Rockets and I was told by more than one person, very firmly, very adamantly, they will not change the core of that team this season,” said Tim MacMahon on Wednesday’s Hoop Collective podcast. “Maybe they make a fringe rotation type of deal. But they are going to play the season out with the core of that team is what they are saying right now.”
Furthermore, McMahon noted that the contract extensions the Rockets signed Green and Alperen Sengun to in the offseason make any potential major trade this season difficult for the team.
“Actions over words,” added MacMahon. “The action of signing him to that deal was also an indication that this was not a season they planned to make a massive trade. Now, we’ve talked about them trying to fast forward to phase three over the summer. If they could have gotten their hands on Donovan Mitchell, they would have absolutely pounced on that. He wasn’t available. If and when they cash some of these chips in to make a deal, one, I would be shocked if Thompson is traded. Eason is going to be awfully hard to get.”
New Details On Potential Houston Rockets Trade Revealed
The Houston Rockets’ Season So Far
Despite all the potential trade talk, the Rockets are in a fantastic position. They are 15-7 and own the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. After Houston’s late push for a postseason appearance last season, many expected the team to make a jump this season. However, very few expected them to be as good as they are. The Rockets have the second-best DRTG in the NBA (only behind the Oklahoma City Thunder). Additionally, they have the fifth-best net rating in the league.
The Rockets are a young team with a lot of potential. Whether they can continue their hot start remains unknown. Regardless, there is no doubt they are a team that can make their presence felt in the Western Conference for years to come.
The Last Word
Based on recent reports, it seems unlikely the Rockets will make a blockbuster trade anytime soon. However, as it currently stands, it does not seem like they need to. They are an exciting team with good coaching. The Rockets currently stand as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Even so, they are still an above-average scoring team, averaging 114.4 points per game (13th-best in the NBA). For the rest of the season, the Rockets are a team NBA fans must monitor.
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