4 Fresh Rockets trade targets based on latest rumors

The Houston Rockets are seen as prime candidates to make a trade. Stop me if you've heard this one before.

It's hard to avoid the subject. At one time, NBA trade rumors heated up near the deadline. Those days have passed. The rumor mill churns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It doesn't stop.

Recently, some new names have been whispered. As teams start to find themselves, they take stock of their next moves. At 14-6, the Rockets feel like prospective buyers. The same can't be said for every team around the league.

Here are four new Rockets targets based on some teams that are starting to look like sellers.

1. Lonzo Ball (Bulls)

Ball's 2024-25 comeback could feel more triumphant.

So far, he's played in five games, and Ball has managed 16.8 minutes per game in those contests. The Rockets already have Steven Adams—do they need another part-time player?

Well, it may be advantageous to have a part-timer at point. Reed Sheppard still needs reps. Having Ball as an option as a backup point guard while Sheppard holds those minutes down when he (inevitably) isn't available splits the difference between development and competing.

Moreover, Ball's injury history is part of what makes him an appealing pickup. The price should be low. Ball is on an expiring contract. The Rockets should be able to land him at the cost of a couple of veteran contracts and perhaps a second-round pick.

This could be a buy-low opportunity that pays dividends in the postseason.

2. Torrey Craig (Bulls)

I swear this isn't a list of Bulls. Although, they do have several intriguing options. Some fans are ready to flip Jalen Green for Zach LaVine and Jalen Smith is a capable stretch big man.

Moving Green for LaVine is complicated by Green's poison pill provision. Moreover, LaVine's deal could complicate Houston's books when it's time to extend Amen Thompson and others. Finally, Jabari Smith Jr. is roughly capable of replicating Smith's impact at the 5, and getting him those reps has its benefits. So, let's focus on Craig.

The Rockets could use an injection of shooting. Craig is seeing sporadic playing time this year, but in the two prior seasons, he shot 39.2 and 39.5% from long-range. He's also a competent defender who wouldn't compromise the identity that the Rockets have built on that end of the floor.

Out of a myriad of available Bulls, he'd be the best option.

3. Jonas Valanciunas (Wizards)

Before, acquiring Valanciunas would have been a bad idea. Alperen Sengun struggled for years as a defender, and that's always been a weak spot for JV. Now that Sengun has made the leap on that end, the Rockets could justify adding Valanciunas.

Meanwhile, Valanciunas does add a wrinkle that Sengun lacks - reasonably consistent shooting. His 33.3% mark from long-range in 2024-25 isn't stellar, but it's solid. More importantly, Valanciunas can keep the offense humming - relatively speaking - while Sengun takes a seat.

He'd be a fine option as a backup for Sengun. That said, there's still an instinct to diversify the 5 rotation more.

Could the Rockets target a much more different big man?

5. Robert Williams III (Trail Blazers)

Sengun has made remarkable strides on defense. It's been beautiful to watch.

He's still not quite Time Lord on that end.

Of course, the inverse is true on offense - WIlliams III can't impact the game nearly as much as Sengun on that end. If he's coming to Houston, he'll have to accept that he's coming as a reserve, even though he's a starting-caliber talent.

That may suit Williams well. He's coming from a crowded big-man rotation in Portland, where he's competing with Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton. In Houston, he'd be the next man up. Given Williams III's injury history, that's an optimal spot for him.

He may also be thrilled to reunite with Ime Udoka - and the feeling would be mutual. A player with Williams III's durability issues should be available at a discounted cost:

The Rockets might be happy to pay it.