Trade rumors: Ranking the Rockets top-9 trade partners

Houston Rockets trade partner rankings: 1. Golden State Warriors

Probably the most hated team on this list in the eyes of Rockets fans is also the team with the best potential trades to offer. This is due to having the best balance of both draft compensation and on-court production to offer.

Though it is not very likely, James Wiseman is one of the more attractive individual trade possibilities on this list. The second overall pick of last year’s draft is certainly proving his worth and at only 19 years old the sky is the limit.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is another proven young player that could be a nice potential part of a Rockets rebuild, though he is on the last year of his contract. The Rockets have expressed interest in Kevon Looney before and is only 25 years old himself.

The players the Warriors could offer are definitely in line with Houston’s goals, but they also have a glowing off-court asset they could dangle in front of the Rockets; Minnesota’s protected 2021 first-round pick.

The 2021 draft class is shaping up to be one of the most promising in some time. If the Rockets could secure a top-3 spot in this draft, they could make a significant leap in their progress towards rebuilding.

Of anything that a team could offer on this list, that Minnesota pick is amongst the best assets as it pertains to the goals of the Rockets organization. That combined with having some of the better players that could be packaged makes Golden State the best potential trade suitor in terms of sheer offering power.

A single trade can change the Houston Rockets’ future

It is very tricky to predict just what kind of moves the Rockets could realistically make on the trade market right now. It takes gauging how much value each moveable player has, as well as the interest-level of other teams around the league and what they would be willing to deal.

With the franchise in the position it is in, Rafael Stone has his work cut out for him and seemingly many options by which to succeed or fail. During this rebuilding stage, which teams he engages with and for what assets will be crucial in forming the next chapter of his legacy as Houston’s General Manager.