5 Draft pick trades Rockets could make to finally take a huge leap

3. Mikal Bridges

The Rockets' biggest needs are starting point guard and a defensive-minded wing. They must have someone to organize their offense, and Houston was 29th in defensive rating last season. Ime Udoka will certainly help their defense, but they must improve their personnel too. Could they get two 3-and-D wings in one trade with the Nets?

Brooklyn rebuffed trade offers after acquiring Bridges from Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade, but the Nets are going to need a star if they want to seriously contend. They have traded a ton of their draft capital to the Rockets to acquire James Harden. Could Brooklyn decide to blow it up, and start building around this year’s number four overall pick?

In this scenario, the Rockets sign James Harden and trade for Bridges and Royce O’Neale to make them a contender again. Houston’s starting five with Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun is young and dynamic with Harden running the offense and Bridges taking another leap.

The Nets get two draft picks, including this year’s number four selection, plus two promising young talents. Tari Eason could blossom in Brooklyn with additional playing time, and Kevin Porter Jr. can look to take his game to another level.

The Nets would set a ridiculously high price for Mikal Bridges, but they would struggle to turn down the fourth pick and what could be looked at as three additional firsts if they decided to trade away Eason and KPJ.