4 Shooters the Rockets could target by the trade deadline

It's getting increasingly difficult to write these "the Houston Rockets need shooters" intros.

The Rockets need shooters. It's simple, reductive, and most importantly, true. This team has playoff aspirations, and at 8-4, those aspirations look realistic. That said, if the Rockets continue to shoot 31.9% from deep (28th in the NBA), their offense could collapse before the playoffs arise.

Luckily, there are solutions. If he earns Ime Udoka's trust, Reed Sheppard could help. Alternatively, they could make a trade for a shooter by the deadline.

Here are four they should take a look at.

1. Duncan Robinson (Heat)

This isn't the first article to suggest the Rockets go after Robinson. It's not even the first SpaceCityScoop article to make (or at least endorse) that suggestion.

He just makes perfect sense as a target. The Heat are a mediocre team who'd do well to avoid the second apron. The Rockets have small, expiring deals and second-round picks. Why not make a deal?

Yes, Robinson is a one-way player. He doesn't fit into Ime Udoka's defensive culture. He should make an exception for a career 39.7% three-point shooter. Robinson will also have an expiring deal next year. That could be useful in brokering a bigger deal, or, the Rockets could renegotiate something team-friendly if they want to keep Robinson.

Either way, he's a perfect addition for the time being.

2. Cam Johnson (Nets)

Johnson will cost a fair bit more than Robinson. That's because he's a fair bit better.

Specifically, he adds more value on the defensive end of the floor. Johnson isn't an elite defender, but he is an elite shooter, and he's solid on the other end. That makes him one of the only true 3-and-D wings in the NBA.

He'd cost a first-round pick because he's worth one. If the Rockets would prefer to stockpile those assets for an eventual superstar that's reasonable. They'll have to look towards more modest targets.

Still, there's logic in acquiring Johnson. He could take Jabari Smith Jr.'s starting spot if the Rockets prefer Tari Eason as a sparkplug off the bench. He's shooting 37.6% from deep on a healthy 7.8 attempts per game. That would be a huge upgrade for this team's spacing.

3. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (Jazz)

Did someone say cheaper options?

Mykhailiuk is the definition of a specialist. He's shooting 33.3% from the field and 40.0% from long-range this year. Without doing the math, one has to assume that he's shooting a dismal percentage from two-point range.

That's fine. The Rockets wouldn't need him to take a lot of twos. Mykhailiuk would only be on the floor to space and open up driving lanes for the Rockets' stars.

Like Robinson, he's a subpar defender. True 3-and-D players are in short supply around the league. The Rockets have more than enough in the defensive department, so unless they want to shell out major assets, a one-way shooting specialist makes for a sensible target.

4. Kelly Olynyk (Raptors)

Who says the target can't be a big man?

Granted, Olynyk hasn't seen a minute of action in 2024-25. He's nursing a nagging back injury. That said, the tanking Raptors may be apprehensive about letting a quality veteran on the floor.

The (blissfully not) tanking Rockets won't have those reservations. They should also have room for Olynyk in their rotation. Steven Adams seems to be a part-time player for now, and Olynyk should be an upgrade over Jock Landale.

He's not strictly a shooter. Olynyk is an outstanding positional passer. He's not a stellar defender, but he can survive hedge-and-recover schemes alongside players like Tari Eason and Amen Thompson. Most importantly, he can open up the floor with his shooting both behind and alongside Alperen Sengun.

It's getting hard to conclude these pieces, too. The Rockets need shooting.

What more needs to be said?