Nobody expected the Houston Rockets to be as good as they have been this season. Thanks to Ime Udoka and a group of players who compete hard on both ends every night, the Rockets hold the 3rd seed in the Western Conference (21-10). Alperen Sengun looks ready to make his first All-Star Team, Jalen Green has shown flashes of his potential, and Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks have been exceptional on defense.
However, nobody truly regards the Rockets as legitimate title contenders, mainly because they lack a true superstar. Sengun has taken the role of franchise player on his back and has performed admirably, but the Rockets need more to challenge the likes of the OKC Thunder and Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference.
The Rockets have a ton of valuable trade assets, including first-round picks and young players, and they might be able to negotiate a blockbuster deal this summer. To explore this idea, we have provided a selection of players that can be split into four categories: Priority, Secondary, Avoid, and Alternative.
Priority: Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is the ideal acquisition for the Houston Rockets to elevate their standing from a strong playoff team to a legitimate title contender. Considering that he is deeply involved in trade rumors that have almost marred the Miami Heat’s season, Butler would bring immediate credibility to the Rockets and give a fresh start to all parties involved. Undoubtedly, it seems the superstar swingman is disappointed after not receiving a two-year extension offer promptly.
Averaging 18.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 4.9 APG while playing elite defense, Butler thrives in high-pressure moments and would complement Alperen Sengun’s rising stardom perfectly. Butler’s leadership would be invaluable for a young team like the Rockets.
He’s a proven winner with Finals experience and would instill a culture of accountability and toughness under Ime Udoka’s system. His defensive intensity and playmaking would make him a seamless fit alongside Sengun’s offensive versatility and Jalen Green’s scoring potential. Together, they could create a balanced core capable of taking down the top teams in the West.
While Butler is 34 years old, his skill set and mindset make him the perfect short-term solution for a Rockets team that needs a playoff-tested veteran to guide its young roster. Acquiring Butler might involve trading future assets including Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, and picks, but the return on investment could be a deep playoff run or even a Finals appearance.
Secondary: De’Aaron Fox, Zion Williamson
De’Aaron Fox would bring speed, playmaking, and clutch scoring to a Rockets team lacking a true lead guard as Fred VanVleet approaches 31 years old. Fox’s 26.2 PPG and 6.1 APG would alleviate playmaking responsibilities from Sengun, allowing the big man to focus on dominating the paint.
Fox’s ability to attack the basket and create for others would unlock new dimensions for the Rockets’ offense, especially in transition, where their athleticism could shine. However, Fox would command a significant trade package, making him a slightly less attainable option. Still, the fact that Fox might be available is something that should alert the Rockets franchise because the 27-year-old has a lot to offer.
Zion Williamson is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward target. The Pelicans are in “fire-sale” mode right now, and their former No. 1 overall pick headlines everyone on the team. When healthy, Williamson is a dominant force, averaging 22.7 PPG and 8.0 RPG on 45.2% shooting in six games this season. Pairing his interior scoring with Sengun’s finesse and passing would make Houston’s frontcourt nearly unstoppable.
But, Zion’s persistent health concerns and massive contract make him a gamble that could backfire. If the Rockets are confident in their medical staff and believe they can keep Zion on the court, he could be the transformational piece they need, especially if they will only have to give up the likes of Jabari Smith Jr, Cam Whitmore, and other supplementary pieces to get the deal over the line.
Avoid: Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine
Joel Embiid might seem like a dream target, but his fit with the Rockets is questionable. While Embiid is an MVP-level talent when healthy, acquiring him would likely require gutting Houston’s depth and draft capital. Moreover, pairing Embiid with Sengun could create spacing and tempo issues, as both players operate best in the paint.
The Rockets are better off preserving their flexibility and avoiding this high-cost acquisition. Of course, a player of Embiid’s status and salary needs to be a sure-fire leader and he is simply not available enough. The center only has nine appearances this season and cannot avoid the injury bug no matter how hard he tries. The Rockets are doing well with a healthy and young roster, and should not risk that by targeting a former MVP who is nearly 31 and can’t stay healthy.
Julius Randle is another player Houston should avoid. While Randle can stuff the stat sheet (20.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG), his inefficiency and streaky play make him a poor fit for a team looking to build around Sengun and Green.
His tendency to dominate possessions would also stifle the development of the Rockets’ young stars, and his playoff track record doesn’t inspire confidence. Randle is not the best defender either, and we have evidence of that by seeing how the Timberwolves are doing this season after swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for him.
Zach LaVine is a talented scorer (22.3 PPG this season) but offers little else. His lack of defensive effort and high usage rate don’t align with the Rockets’ emphasis on defensive intensity and ball movement under Udoka. He is also coming off some major injuries, although he has appeared in 26 games this season.
LaVine’s contract is also a significant burden ($43,031,940 this season, $45,999,660 next season), and acquiring him would likely require sacrificing assets better used to target a more complete player. The shooting guard will also look for a max contract from the Rockets, and he isn’t exactly an upgrade over Jalen Green. If The Rockets have to give up Green, it isn’t worth the trade. If the Rockets acquire LaVine to pair with Green, they will have a defensive issue. Overall, LaVine isn’t the answer for them.
Alternative: Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram is an intriguing alternative for the Rockets. Averaging 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 5.2 APG, Ingram is a versatile forward who can create his own shot and facilitate for others. His length and scoring ability would fit seamlessly alongside Sengun and Green, forming a dynamic offensive trio capable of competing with any team in the West.
Ingram’s fit is especially enticing because of his ability to operate in the mid-range, an area where the Rockets currently lack a consistent threat. His presence would create more space for Sengun and Green to attack, and his experience as a primary scorer would relieve pressure on the younger players in crucial moments.
The main hesitation with Ingram lies in his impending free agency and potential cost. The Rockets would need assurances of his long-term commitment before trading valuable assets. However, if those assurances are in place, Ingram could be the versatile, high-impact player who pushes the Rockets into the upper echelon of the NBA.
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