The Houston Rockets are widely considered to be one of the most well-positioned teams in the NBA to trade for a superstar, thanks to their abundance of future draft picks and a promising young core. General Manager Rafael Stone and the Rockets can offer up to four outright first-round picks and four pick swaps, giving them significant assets to land a major trade.
However, despite their advantageous position, the Rockets are not currently planning to shake up their roster. According to Tim MacMahon, who spoke on the Hoop Collective podcast on Wednesday, multiple sources within the organization have firmly stated that they will not alter the core of their team 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,” MacMahon said. “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.”
This stance is further complicated by the fact that key players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun signed contract extensions before the start of the season, making them difficult to trade during this campaign. Although players like Tari Eason and Amen Thompson are not yet starting, the Rockets have been clear in their communication that both are considered untouchable.
“Actions over words,” MacMahon continued. “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.”
Over the summer, the Rockets were rumored to have targeted Donovan Mitchell, with the intent to fast-track their rebuilding process. However, since Mitchell was unavailable, they refrained from making a move. MacMahon also expressed doubt about the likelihood of trading young players like Thompson and Eason.
“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.”
Although the Rockets are one of the league’s best defensive teams, they still lack a true offensive star. They are well aware that to contend for championships, they need to add a legitimate offensive engine to their roster.
“If and when they cash these major chips in, they are going to be very selective of that,” MacMahon said. “In other words, it has to be an age-appropriate star. They realize to vault into real championship contenders, they have to have a guy either emerge or acquire a legitimate offensive engine. An outstanding offensive engine. They need to become a good offensive team, not a great because they are a great defensive team.”
Despite this, the Rockets are not ruling out the possibility that players like Jalen Green or Alperen Sengun could eventually fill this offensive star role.
“They are not ruling out that Jalen Green could become that. I think they have some evidence that it’s possible from last season. They are not ruling out that Sengun could continue developing.”
Rockets 'Adamant' They Won't Trade Any Core Players This Season https://t.co/vhRnZ65UhE
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 4, 2024
