Ranking the Houston Rockets' top 5 trade targets for 2024-25

The Houston Rockets are well-positioned to trade for a superstar. Stop us if this sounds familiar.

OK, fine - you can't stop us. We can't stop talking about Rockets trade possibilities, either. This team has a surplus of assets, and an excess of young players. A huge consolidation trade feels like an inevitability.

We'll be looking at those possibilities here. We'll also be looking at smaller targets. If the Rockets' season is going well enough, who knows? They could opt to trade for a role player to strengthen their rotation.

Here's our ranking of their 5 top trade targets heading into 2024-25.

5. Marcus Smart

There was a lot of noise about Smart and the Rockets heading into the draft. Was there any substance in those rumors, or were people merely putting puzzle pieces together?

Sure, Smart has a relationship with Ime Udoka. Yes, the Rockets are prioritizing defense in building their new culture. Those are both facts, but we're still not sure that Smart is the right player for this team.

There's only so much defense to prioritize before you need to put the ball in the basket. The Rockets need floor spacing, and Smart's career 32.3% three-point percentage won't aid that cause.

Why acquire him to impede a potentially elite shooter's development? Smart shouldn't be blocking Reed Sheppard's path to playing time. If the Rockets pivot hard into win-now mode by acquiring an MVP candidate, they could take another look at Smart. For now, they'd do better to consider other targets.