The Houston Rockets have found themselves in a unique position. They have a great young team, and they can further improve the team with a big trade. The team has reportedly said they are not willing to sacrifice their youth for a trade, which might just be a negotiation tactic. ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps says that the Rockets trade rumors will continue, and they have the best assets to trade for a star.
Rockets In Prime Position to Trade for Superstar
On the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, the guys talked about the recent 25 Under 25 list by ESPN, noting that the Houston Rockets have four players on the list. They also talked about how the team can improve even more with a trade. Tim Bontemps said,
“The situation in Houston is the following. They have with their collection of young talent and draft picks, they are quite clearly the number 1 team in a position to trade for any player. Any guy that comes available, whatever name you want to list, the highest name you want. The Rockets are at the front of the line for anybody that comes available, if they choose to do it. They have the ability to overwhelm anybody to make a deal. You can say Oklahoma City has many picks, they do, but we all agree, Oklahoma City is going to be pretty selective on what they are going to do.”
The Rockets Have the Golden Package
The Rockets are a unique team because they can offer the golden package to any team willing to trade their unhappy star. They can offer salary relief with expiring contracts, plenty of draft picks, and a collection of young talent like no other team in the league.
Let’s start with the draft capital. Their pick situation in 2025 is a bit complicated. The Thunder can swap their first round pick in 2025 with Houston, but it is top 10 protected, or the Clippers’ first round pick. Houston then has the right to swap its pick, or the OKC pick, to Brooklyn for Phoenix’s first round pick. If the Houston pick falls within the protected range, Houston will no longer owe a pick to the Thunder, and the team can swap its own pick for the Phoenix pick.
But their big treasure comes in the 2027 draft when they own the rights to Phoenix’s unprotected first-round pick, and swap rights with the Brooklyn Nets. They also have their own pick in 2027. They also have rights to either Dallas or Phoenix’s pick in 2029.
Now, let’s look at the expiring contracts they can offer. The Rockets can offer teams salary relief in the range of $28 million with the contracts of Steven Adams, Jeff Green, and Jae’Sean Tate. We have to note, those three expiring contracts will not be in play once the summer comes.
Last but not least, they have the best collection of young talent with players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard.
Will the Rockets Wait For Next Season?
The Rockets have been sending signals that this year, this is the team they are moving forward. Their big plan is to try and score in the summer when their draft capital will be clearer. Also, plenty of stars get disappointed at how their team finishes the season. Only one team can win the championship, and plenty of disappointed teams might look to pivot. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon believes the Rockets are in no rush, saying,
“I just spent some time around the Rockets, and I was told by more than one person, very firmly, very adamantly, that they will not change the core of that team this season. Maybe they will make a fringe rotation of type deal, but they are going to play the season out with the core of that team. This is what they are saying right now.”
This might not be the season they make a massive trade. But if and when they decide to cash in their chips, the Rockets will be the frontrunners for a star. In the summer, they might not have the three expiring contracts we mentioned before, but they will have Fred VanVleet on an expiring deal at $45 million.
Is There a Star Out There?
With the Milwaukee Bucks improving their record thanks to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s strong play, he is out of the trade talks for now. That might be their big fish. Earlier Rockets trade rumors suggested they might try to hunt Kevin Durant.
But there will always be a player in his late 20s or early 30s who believes his team is not doing enough. Next summer, players like Lauri Markannen will become trade-eligible. With another season down the drain, Utah might be willing to part ways. Or depending on how things go in Sacramento, that core might have reached its ceiling.
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