Houston Rockets identify a pair of untouchable players

There's a lot of excitement surrounding the Houston Rockets.

After a 10-4 start, how could there not be? The Rockets look like one of the best teams in the NBA. Best of all, they have an identity. The Rockets are beating teams with one of the best defenses in the NBA. Few groups are equipped to match their physicality and athleticism.

It all starts with one duo. The "Terror Twins" generate more than their fair share of excitement. Now, it's becoming clear that the front office has no interest in moving either Amen Thompson or Tari Eason.

Rockets identify untouchable players

Recent reports suggest the Rockets' front office views the duo as untouchable.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Both Thompson and Eason have outlier qualities that can't be replaced. Thompson is a 100th percentile athlete. The Rockets won't find a player who can cover more ground on the defensive end of the floor.

Meanwhile, Eason generates extra possessions like few players in NBA history. His combined steal and offensive rebound percentage puts him in elite company. So, we can see why the Rockets are so high on this terrifying tandem.

Should they be untouchable?

Rockets should hang onto Terror Twins

Who's "untouchable"? What does that mean by NBA standards?

There are about three or four untouchable players in the NBA. The Spurs wouldn't trade Victor Wembanyama for anyone. The same goes for the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. The Mavericks won't move Luka Doncic, and the Thunder will keep Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Rockets would presumably trade Thompson and Eason for any of those guys. That doesn't feel like a fair standard for untouchability. So, it would be more fair to say that they're untouchable in the sense that the Rockets wouldn't move them for anyone who would be realistically available.

Notice that Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn't listed as one of the untouchable players. That's because the Bucks may be forced to move him if their season remains disappointing. In that event, the Rockets could revisit their stance on Thompson and Eason.

Even then, they'll want to think long and hard. The Rockets are rolling, and they've got tremendous assets moving forward. If they acquire Antetokounmpo, their title window opens wider, but it will close more quickly.

At this moment, the smarter decision feels like trying to upgrade Jalen Green. If the Rockets got consistent production at that position, they'd be difficult to stop. Nobody should rule Antetokounmpo out, but if the Rockets decide against chasing him?

The Terror Twins are likely to remain untouchable.