The Houston Rockets are entering the 2025 offseason with a clear ambition to transform their roster into a championship contender.
After a surprising 52-win season and a No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Rockets’ first-round playoff exit against the Golden State Warriors exposed a critical need for a superstar to complement their young core.
With a wealth of draft capital, young talent, and financial flexibility, Houston is primed to make a splash in the trade market, potentially targeting a game-changing veteran to push them deeper into the postseason.
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, “The Houston Rockets are well-positioned to go star hunting this offseason.”
“Will they go all-in on (Phoenix Suns’ Kevin) Durant or save their available war chest for (Giannis) Antetokounmpo? The path to Durant could take many forms, but it most likely needs to be in July since Houston is close to its first-apron hard cap,” Pincus continued.
“While the team could opt Fred VanVleet into his expiring $44.9 million for 2025-26 and trade him with Dillon Brooks, the sense among many competing executives (willing to share their opinions on the Rockets) is that the franchise wants to keep as much of its experienced core together as possible for a substantial playoff run. Houston is likelier to send VanVleet into free agency but re-sign him on a more economical multi-year deal.”
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“Instead, the expectation is that Jalen Green will be made available, along with players on flexible contracts (Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday, etc.) and inevitably some of the younger talents (Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, etc.). The Rockets also have the No. 10 pick to offer, along with several future picks (firsts and seconds).”
“Sheppard might be necessary for Antetokounmpo, but it’s unclear how far Houston will go for Durant. Regardless, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson are off-limits. The Rockets don’t appear eager to part with Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, though their extension demands this summer may dictate how vital they are to the team’s future.”
This insight suggests the Rockets are carefully weighing their options, with Durant emerging as a prime target. The 36-year-old averaged 26.6 points on 52.7 percent shooting and 43.0 percent from three in 2024-25. KD could be the closer Houston lacked in their playoff series.
His fit alongside Şengün and Thompson, who appear untouchable in trade talks, would create a dynamic offensive trio.
A potential package centered around Jalen Green, along with the No. 10 pick and players like Landale or Holiday, could appeal to Phoenix, especially as they look to regain draft capital.
As Pincus noted, Houston’s proximity to the first-apron hard cap means any deal would likely wait until July to navigate salary matching rules. This complicates matters, as reports have suggested that Phoenix is looking to trade Durant before the draft.
Trading for KD could accelerate Houston’s timeline, pairing his elite scoring with Ime Udoka’s defensive system. Yet, with Şengün and Thompson as cornerstones, Houston could also opt for patience and avoid a Durant deal, banking on internal growth or a younger star.
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