4 Untouchable Houston Rockets players in trade talks

Let's get this out of the way first: nobody on the Houston Rockets is truly "untouchable".

Untouchable is a funny term in NBA discourse. If Luka Doncic (oddly) demanded a trade, rest assured that the Rockets would send everything that wasn't nailed down. If something was nailed down, they'd put a lot of elbow grease into removing that nail.

On a related note, Doncic isn't going to request a trade. Nobody on his level looks primed to leave his team at the moment. Stars could be available, but the market is light on established MVP candidates.

So, the Rockets would be selective in who they'd move. Here are four players we doubt they'd move in light of current market dynamics.

4. Tari Eason

It's our favorite stat: Eason was the only player in the NBA in the top 50 in Offensive Rebound % and Steal % during his 2022-23 rookie year.

That's a unique edge that any winning team would want to maintain. Eason projects to be a premiere role player in the NBA. We know what you're thinking: isn't preserving role players at the expense of stars bad business?

Let's circle back to the market. If the Rockets are bringing Doncic (or Giannis Antetokoumnpo, for example) on board, they'll rebuild the roster around him. If they're bringing Devin Booker in, they'd want to pair him with Eason. Giving up on a foundational piece is a poor decision if they're not going to have the type of MVP candidate who's worth any sacrifice.

Since that player isn't available, don't count on Eason leaving any time soon.

3. Jabari Smith Jr.

We're basically going to make the same case for Jabari Smith Jr.

If this was the summer after his rookie year, Smith Jr. wouldn't be on this list. Luckily, Smith Jr. made impressive strides as a sophomore. His three-point percentage spiked, and Smith Jr. elevated himself from one of the worst starters in the NBA to a roughly average one.

If he makes that leap again? Smith Jr. will be the man the Rockets hoped they were landing when they drafted him. He'll be a 6'11" wing who can guard multiple positions with strong three-point gravity. Doesn't that sound like the type of player who would compliment other whichever star they bring in?

Our logic isn't complicated here. Bringing Devin Booker or Brandon Ingram onto a barren team is senseless. The Rockets would continue to hover around .500, and they'd have far fewer remaining assets.

2. Amen Thompson

With Thompson, the logic is slightly different. Unlike Smith Jr. and Eason, he's a non-shooter. So, Thompson won't snugly fit alongside just anyone.

Still, he'll fit next to any shooter. Thompson has a chance to be the best wing defender in the NBA. Even if the Rockets brought a star playmaker on board, Thompson can thrive without the ball as a cutter and lob threat. As long as they've got a stretch big, that formation will be viable.

Will they have a stretch big? That's a different question. Alperen Sengun has shown some ability to space the floor, but he's not there yet. Can the Rockets win big with two non-shooters in the starting lineup?

Probably not. Still, it would be wise to keep their options open. Thompson has too much untapped potential to move for a sub-MVP player at this stage.

Unless that guy is available, he should be untouchable.

1. Alperen Sengun

The Rockets will likely look to bring in a star offensive player in time. In today's NBA, one offensive star isn't enough: you need at least two. Luckily, they already have one:

That's why Sengun is the most untouchable player on this roster.

His Box Plus/Minus (BPM of 4.9 in 2023-24 was on par with star players. Sengun is among the most dynamic inside scorers in the NBA. He also has above-average floor vision for his position. Sengun has the makings of a long-term offensive engine.

Can he play with Thompson? Can he play with Jalen Green? These are unanswered questions. With a young team like the Rockets, these rankings may change by this year's trade deadline. For now, the Rockets can't trade Sengun for anything short of an MVP candidate:

It would defeat the purpose of trading for a star in the first place.