Houston Rockets haphazardly linked to pair of aging superstars

Every team in the NBA has a timeline. The Houston Rockets are no exception. They have measurable goals that extend over the next half-decade or more.

In 2024-25, the objective is to make the playoffs. That's the goal. If Houston fails to advance to the postseason, they'll internally view their season as a disappointment.

They will not aspire to win the NBA championship. That would not be a reasonable goal. The Rockets won't be in the running for the league's major prize this year.

Typically, that means avoiding blockbuster trades for aging superstars. Any team making a move for, say, Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler ought to feel like they're in the title picture.

Bleacher Report disagrees.

Rockets trade targets misidentified

They recently published an article listing every team's top trade targets. For Houston, they like Durant, Devin Booker, or Butler.

In fairness, they recognize the folly in their own logic.

"In contrast to the Booker and Durant options, a Butler trade would be more of a rental with an option to buy, likely to materialize only if Houston felt it was one player away from serious contention right now"

-Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report

What's the difference between Durant and Butler? Well, Durant is under contract for a longer period. Fair - but that doesn't make him a sensible target for the Rockets.

Durant is 36. His best seasons are almost certainly behind him. In a season or two, Durant is likely to play below an All-Star level. He's one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, but Father Time is undefeated.

So, the Rockets should only trade for him if they think they can build a title contender in a season or two. There's no evidence to support that assumption. The only young Rocket on this roster to approach All-Star status is Alperen Sengun. Pairing him with Durant is unlikely to yield a contender in the next year or two.

What about Devin Booker?

Bleacher Report got one target right

Booker is a sensible target.

He is 27. Booker should have another half-decade or more of star-caliber play. The Rockets could begin to crack open a title open by acquiring him. If they trade for Durant or Butler, they'll be recklessly opening a window that's too narrow to climb through.

Moreover, Booker is a portable star. He's a lethal shooter with supplementary playmaking skills. Booker and Sengun could be a dangerous offensive tandem. Booker and Reed Sheppard could be the best shooting backcourt in the league. Acquiring him also makes incorporating a non-shooter like Amen Thompson into the offense easier.

So, we like Booker for the Rockets. Otherwise, our list of the team's top-3 trade targets for 2024-25 would either include Zion Williamson and LaMelo Ball, or more modest targets like Jevon Carter or Duncan Robinson. There's no reason to rush to acquire an aging star when the Rockets haven't opened a title window yet:

They should stick to their timeline.