1 Crucial mistake the Rockets can't make with their impressive asset collection

The Houston Rockets are at a crossroads.

They spent four years cultivating. The Rockets tanked for three years to acquire blue-chip prospects, and then signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to reset a losing culture.

In 2024-25, the Rockets won 52 games. The team has officially arrived. Soon, it will be time to harvest. The Rockets were built to consolidate. They can't expect to keep a "core 7" - that's too many players for a core. That's largely why they're regularly linked to big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant.

The Rockets could justify acquiring either. They could justify acquiring neither. What they wouldn't be able to justify is a half measure.

The Rockets need to use their assets wisely.

Rockets shouldn't keep assets for major deal

If you survey Rockets fans, they've got their preferred targets. Some would flip Jalen Green and an unprotected first for Desmond Bane. Others would look at moving the necessary salary and draft capital for Derrick White.

These are understandable desires. Either Bane or White would make the Rockets a better team in 2024-25. They would not make them title contenders.

A bigger fish would be required to make that shift.

Here's the problem - spending whatever is necessary to get White leaves them with less to land that fish. The Rockets shouldn't view their future through a one-year lens. Improving in 2025-26 isn't the primary goal. Winning a title in the next five (ish) years is.

Sending out assets piecemeal won't help them achieve that goal.

There's a reasonable counterargument to be made. The Rockets shouldn't hold out for some hypothetical fantasy target. If guys who will help are available, a win-now trade is logical. That would be a compelling argument:

If you haven't been following the NBA for more than half a year.

Rockets can exploit the NBA's volatility

Heading into the 2024-25 season, there was a short list of players who would not be traded under any circumstances.

Luka Doncic was on that list.

One of the strangest deals in NBA history? You bet. Here's the rub. When someone suggests that Tatum-to-Houston deal, and someone else says they're crazy, there's a ready-made counterargument:

Crazier things have happened.

That's not to say it will be Tatum. It could be Anthony Edwards, or Cade Cunningham, or who knows who else? The point is that the Rockets have one of the best collections of assets in the league, and superstars always unexpectedly shake loose:

They need to be ready to choose a direction when the right one is available.