A huge potential Rockets trade target may have just shaken loose

The Houston Rockets have been linked to a lot of star players.

The front office protests - perhaps too much. We're inundated with reports that the Rockets want to continue developing their young core.

Right. NBA front offices always tell the truth in public, just like Houstonians know they won't get stuck in traffic on the I-610.

That said, the Rockets just won 52 games. Indeed, they don't need to make a splashy acquisition. This team could stay the course and prioritize continuity.

Some trade targets have them blowing up an overachieving young core. Giannis Antetokounmpo is not a natural fit with this roster. The Rockets would have to give up one of Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson to acquire him, in terms of market price and roster construction. Most Rockets fans would agree that those were the two young players most integral to their 2024-25 success.

Still, if a superstar lead guard shakes loose, the Rockets could add him to the core without sacrificing what made them good.

As of Tuesday night, one intriguing prospect feels more likely to hit the market.

Rockets should consider an offer for star guard

The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially out of the playoffs.

This isn't the first time anyone has connected the dots between Donovan Mitchell and the Rockets. It was rumored that the team was interested in him last summer.

Now feels like the right time to make a move for him.

Sure, some Rockets fans are still attached to Jalen Green. It's time for a moment of somber self-reflection. The odds that Green will ever be as good as Mitchell are exceedingly slim.

That's as much a compliment to Mitchell as it is a slight on Green. In 2024-25, the Cavaliers guard averaged 24.0 points and 5.0 assists with a Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of 3.7. This is a bona fide superstar guard.

Some will be concerned about Mitchell's size. They shouldn't be. Mitchell may be 6'3", but his 6'10" wingspan has made him a mostly solid defender in the NBA.

Acquiring him will depend on the price. The Rockets shouldn't sacrifice anything that worked for them. The idea should be to add Mitchell to the elements that led them to 52 wins this season.

Their starting offer should include Green, Cam Whitmore, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday and draft capital. Perhaps the Rockets start with 3 unprotected first-round picks, knowing they'll include up to 5 to get a deal done. If the Cavs insist on anything else, the Rockets could consider Jabari Smith Jr. if they're unsure about his next deal. If that's not enough, the Rockets should take their business elsewhere:

There's no shortage of star players they've been linked to.