The Houston Rockets have taken a firm stance on Zion Williamson’s future with the franchise, according to a report by Kelly Iko and Sam Amick of The Athletic.
While Houston has explored major offseason moves after a strong 52–30 campaign and its first playoff berth since 2020, the team has decided that the New Orleans Pelicans forward does not align with their long-term vision due to injury concerns and inconsistency.
Williamson, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, has missed significant time across his first seven seasons, appearing in just 214 games.
Despite averaging 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for his career on 58.9% shooting, the Rockets view his availability and durability as a long-term liability, per the report.
Houston’s decision comes after a season in which Williamson played 30 games for a struggling Pelicans team that finished 14th in the West at 21–61.
Though he posted 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, the persistent injury history outweighed his productivity in the eyes of Houston’s front office.
The Rockets have shown greater interest in more stable stars this summer, including a potential push for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to The Athletic, the Greek forward is viewed internally as the most intriguing target, though the asking price would be steep, involving draft capital, veteran salaries, and young talent.
Meanwhile, the franchise has cooled on pursuing Phoenix’s Devin Booker, citing his underwhelming 2024–25 season and the rising confidence in Jalen Green’s development.
Houston has also shown caution regarding Kevin Durant, whose desire to play for the Rockets is known, but whose age (36) remains a sticking point as the team builds around a younger core.
After falling to the Warriors in a hard-fought seven-game series in the first round, the Rockets have made it clear they are looking for complementary players who fit their timeline and playstyle.
