Massive Rockets rumor all but confirms that a star is coming to Houston

The Houston Rockets are reportedly exploring the market for the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft—and a star could be at the heart of the return.

Houston has an embarrassment of future riches at its disposal. It's fresh off of a 52-win season, has an abundance of high-level players who are 25 or younger, and will enter the 2025 NBA Draft with a top-10 pick to round those assets into form.

As the Rockets continue to struggle to identify a reliable go-to scorer, however, many believe that some combination of their endless assets will go toward acquiring a star.

Houston has been linked to the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant since losing in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The question, however, has been a matter of what the Rockets might be willing to give up to get a deal over the finish line. Thankfully, an answer is beginning to surface.

According to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Rockets are expected to explore a trade centered around the No. 10 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.

"So league sources expect the Rockets to look into trading this pick, whether it’s a trade way up, a trade out for a star, or a trade out for a group of future picks similar to what the Spurs received from the Timberwolves when they moved up for Rob Dillingham last year."

It's entirely possible that they'll utilize the No. 10 pick to move up or even land a package of future selections, but all signs seem to point toward a trade for a star.

Rockets expected to shop No. 10 pick, clearing path for star acquisition

Houston's assets are comparable to that of any franchise in the NBA. It has an abundance of future first-round draft picks at its disposal, as well as an intriguing combination of promising up-and-comers and veterans on contracts that can be utilized to make the finances match in a trade for a max-level player.

As such, the Rockets' willingness to shop the No. 10 pick seemingly suggests that they're circling the wagons on a trade for a big name.

Houston imposed a limitation on its maneuverability when it traded its 2026 first-round draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets. It can circumvent the Stepien Rule, however, by selecting a potential trade partner's preferred prospect at No. 10 in the 2025 NBA Draft and completing a deal after the fact.

Houston could also trade its 2025 pick for at least one 2026 selection if their potential trade partner lacks interest in the current draft class.

Under that set of circumstances, Houston would be able to package its 2027 first-rounder with its most attractive draft asset: A 2027 pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets. The swap could be included regardless, but the point remains that a rival executive's potential prioritization of future assets can be accommodated.

From there, it would be a matter of including the ideal combination of players, contracts, and possibly 2029 and 2031 first-round draft picks to convince a rival executive to agree to a trade.

Jalen Green, 23, and Alperen Sengun, 22, have the talent and contracts to justify being at the center of any potential star-driven trade. Dillon Brooks' $21.1 million salary could also come into play, with some combination of Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and Cam Whitmore likely to be added due to their respective reputations as high-level developable talent.

Regardless of what the trade package ultimately looks like, the wheels are reportedly in motion on a trade that one can't help but feel will bring a star to Houston.