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.

4. Dorian Finney-Smith

The Rockets and Nets were long destined to make a deal. It finally happened. With Rafael Stone having sent Brooklyn (most) of their draft capital back in exchange for a larger volume of the Suns' future picks, these two sides don't have the same mutual incentive to make a trade.

That's fine. They can still make a deal. Brooklyn seems to be leaning into a wholesale rebuild. They moved Mikal Bridges, but they still have some win-now veterans on this roster. Could the Rockets help them remedy that situation?

We could have included Cam Johnson on this list. He'd be a sensible on-court addition to the Rockets, but his contract is onerous. By contrast, Finney-Smith is affordable.

He's also a highly impactful player. Finney-Smith is a 3-and-D wing who doesn't need the ball to help his team win. He'll bring similar rotational concerns as Smart, but it's easier to stack wings. The Rockets could run some lethal wing-heavy lineups featuring Finney-Smith alongside Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr.

3. Bobby Portis

Unlike the other players on this list, Portis fulfills an immediate need for the Rockets.

Sure, they've got ample depth at the 5. Between Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, and Jock Landale, they've got plenty of size. Still, none of those players space the floor besides Landale, and he's closer to a third-string quality player.

We like lineups with Jabari Smith Jr. at the 5, but they may not be sustainable as anything more than a Death Lineup. If the Rockets acquired Portis, they'd have a bonafide stretch big man who can handle heavy minutes.

The Bucks will have championship aspirations in 2024-25. They aren't likely to move Portis unless they're upgrading their roster. Since the Rockets are also looking to win, a third team may be required here. If the Rockets can find one, Portis would give them an entirely new dynamic.

2. Zion Williamson

We know.

We've just looked at three solid, reliable role players. Suddenly, we're making a quantum leap. If the Rockets acquired Williamson, they'd be landing their new franchise player.

We're conflicted. Most people are conflicted about Williamson. When he's healthy, he can be a dominant interior scorer. Williamson is the type of offensive force that teams have to alter their entire game plan to contain.

Still, his health remains a lingering concern. Williamson's shortcomings as a shooter make him a challenge to build around as well. His defense has improved, but you'd still prefer to surround him with spacing. We're not sure if he can play with Sengun, and he's not an optimal fit next to Amen Thompson either.

Could another star be a stronger fit?

1. Devin Booker

The Suns are not entering the 2024-25 season hoping to move Devin Booker. They're hoping that he's on the floor for him deep into the postseason.

What if that isn't looking realistic by the deadline? The Suns are all-in on this core, and they had a woefully disappointing season in 2024-25. If they're on pace to disappoint again, they could start thinking about their draft picks.

The Houston Rockets own them. If the Suns want them back, they may need to send Booker. Unlike Williamson, Booker is easier to fit into a team concept as an elite shooter. He'd form a potent offensive duo with Sengun, and he'd compliment Thompson nicely.

He may be the trade target we've all been waiting for.