Ranking all 15 Houston Rockets players by trade value

Some high-value prospects

5. Tari Eason 

Eason must have some trade value - he's included in a trade proposal on a near-daily basis. 

Why not? Eason is an extra-possession monster. He's already one of the best defensive playmakers in the NBA. He may be the best rebounding wing in the NBA (although Josh Hart would like a word). Throw in sufficient floor spacing, and this is a valuable young player. 

Eason's perceived lack of upside keeps him from climbing this list, but make no mistake - contenders and rebuilding teams alike would love to have him. That's why we expect the Rockets to keep him, but Eason should have a lot of value if he ever did find his way on the market. 

 4. Reed Sheppard

Sheppard hasn't played a regular-season NBA game yet. This will sound counterintuitive to some, but that's exactly why his value is so high. 

He's cost-controlled. Sheppard is on a rookie deal for three-to-four more seasons. Moreover, he's widely seen as having a chance to be the best player in his draft class. 

The Rockets won't trade him now unless an MVP candidate becomes available. Still, if (for whatever strange reason) they wanted to, he'd fetch a substantial return. 

 3. Jabari Smith Jr. 

After Smith Jr.'s rookie season, his value would have been depressingly low. Luckily, he made strides as a sophomore. Now, he's on people's radars as someone who could break out in 2024-25. 

If nothing else, we'd expect teams to gamble on his physical qualities. Smith Jr. is a 6'11" wing who's mobile enough to guard any frontcourt position. That's the type of player that any team could use.