Ranking 3 Rockets trade targets based on latest rumors

The Houston Rockets probably aren't making that blockbuster trade this year.

An underwhelming deadline is the most likely outcome. The Rockets may flip an expiring contract with some second-round draft capitals for a marginal upgrade. They may stand pat altogether. Either way, fans pining for their favorite superstar should prepare for disappointment.

Inaction can be the best action. The Rockets are 18-9. If they continue to play above their heads, why should they fix something that isn't broken?

Yet, it's always worth entertaining possibilities. Perhaps some people have the gift of clairvoyance, but nobody at SpaceCityScoop would make that claim. In the spirit of open-mindedness, here's a ranking of three potential Rockets trade targets based on the latest rumors.

3. Jimmy Butler

Trading for Butler feels like a lose/lose scenario.

He is 35 and set to hit free agency next summer. If the Rockets wanted to extend him, they'd be committing a substantial portion of their cap space to a player who's sure to decline.

Alternatively, they could view Butler as a rental. As strong as the Rockets have been in 2024-25, acquiring Butler doesn't seem like a move that put them in the title picture. So why give up anything valuable for a rental if it's not going to achieve your desired result?

It's easy to understand the appeal in Butler. The Rockets would be quadroupling-down on toughness, intensity and defense. That said, Butler's exceedingly low three-point volume makes him a shaky fit with the roster. Enhancing this team's strengths at the cost of exacerbating their weaknesses would be a step backwards.

If the Heat are giving Butler away, sure - the Rockets should take him. If the price is a bundle of expiring contracts and a protected first-round pick, it's worth adding him on a short-term basis. Butler's market may be cool enough to extend him at a reasonable price, but the Rockets can also justify acquiring Butler on a short-term basis at that cost.

Butler is likely to cost more than a bunch of mediocre veterans and a protected first. He's also likely to find something close to a max extension from somebody on the open market. Outside of pie in the sky scenarios, the Rockets should pass on Butler.

2. Marcus Smart

Enhancing this team's strengths at the cost of exacerbating their weaknesses would be a step backwards. That's as good of a reason to pass on Marcus Smart as any.

He's shooting 32.5% on 4.9 threes per game in 2024-25. That's not far off his career marks, which have Smart shooting 32.3% on the same number of attempts. Smart is well-established as a weal floor spacer, and the Rockets need floor spacing.

The Rockets' Defensive Rating of 105.6 is second in the NBA. Adding Smart isn't going to bolster that rating to the extend that it rivals the Thunder's historic 103.0 rating. What's the purpose in adding Smart? To boost the Defensive Rating from second to...second?

Still, he's a more sensible target than Butler from a practicality standpoint. Next season is the last year of Smart's contract, and his next deal is likely to be far more modest than his current $21 million salary. His chemistry with Ime Udoka is well-documented, and the Rockets could use some additional ball-handling.

The Rockets should pass on Smart, but there's at least some logic in bringing him on board.

1. De'Aaron Fox

There's virtually no chance that the Rockets will add Fox before this year's deadline.

It seems inevitable that Jalen Green would be part of a Fox deal. The poison pill provision in his contract makes trading him this year virtually impossible. Luckily, that's no concern. Recent reports are suggesting that the Kings won't move Fox at the deadline.

Yet, the vultures are circling. Fox hasn't exactly made a firm public commitment to the Kings. Unless they can turn their season around in a tremendous way, there's a strong chance that he'll request a trade this summer.

Fox is not a perfect fit with the Rockets either. He's shooting 32.6% from long-range this year after knocking down a career-best 36.9% of his threes last year. Should the Rockets even consider him?

Yes. Fox is an outstanding midrange shooter. He'll establish a dynamic two-man game with Alperen Sengun. If the Rockets can fill out their roster with a couple of shooting specialists, they can build viable lineups around their new star duo and Amen Thompson.

More broadly, the Rockets are 18-9 despite a down year from Fred VanVleet and - well, a typical year from Jalen Green. This team is finding tremendous sucess despite starting one of the most underwhelming backcourts in the NBA. It stands to reason that adding a lead guard would give them a boost:

Just don't expect it to happen this season.