Rockets News: Trade talks persist despite tremendous Thunder win

You could not ask for more from the Houston Rockets in 2024-25. At 15-6, they're one of the best teams in the NBA.

Yet, the team cannot avoid trade rumors. Rafael Stone's search for a superstar player seems like a poorly kept secret. That may be the case - but the Rockets don't need to make a big splash leading up to this year's deadline.

That doesn't mean they shouldn't make a trade. The Rockets seem like natural buyers at this year's deadline.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto just named a handful of players they could look to move to upgrade their roster.

Rockets trade targets properly identified

According to Scotto, Steven Adams, Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green are the most likely Rockets to be packing their bags this year.

None of those players will be instrumental in brokering a blockbuster. That's fine. At 15-6, why would the Rockets make radical changes?

Sure, the team could improve by moving Jalen Green. That's a moot point at the moment. Given the poison pill provision in Green's contract, he'll be difficult to trade this year. It's more likely that the Rockets would attach draft capital to his contract to move him this summer.

In the meantime, adding one of the aforementioned veteran's expiring deals to a handful of second-round picks could help the Rockets improve at the margins. They could use a backup big man, or an additional shooter - take your pick.

If they need anything at all, that is.

Rockets topple rivals in thrilling fashion

After all, the Rockets just defeated the Thunder by a final score of 119-116.

The powerhouse Thunder? Is this not the best team in the Western Conference? Sure, they were missing Chet Holmgren. Aren't the Thunder supposed to be able to weather that storm against a team like Houston?

They couldn't. The Rockets got a superstar performance from Fred VanVleet, who had 38 points on 10/19 shooting from the field, including a 5/9 mark from long range. Alperen Sengun also chipped in 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Jokes aside, this win shouldn't change the Rockets' outlook at the deadline. This team would be wise to round out their rotation. The Rockets should be a playoff team in 2024-25. The fewer holes they have in their armor, the better odds they have of winning a series.

Still, this win felt good. The Thunder have long been a thorn in the Rockets' side. In the grand scheme of things, one regular season game in early December doesn't count for much.

The Rockets are bound for bigger things in 2024-25.