Rockets Rumors: A record-breaking blockbuster, and a smaller trade on the horizon

The Houston Rockets have been working hard this summer.

There's been a flurry of acquisitions. Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks are out. Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela are in. The Rockets have been the talk of the town. The consensus holds that this team elevated itself from plucky upstarts to bona fide title contenders.

Their work may not be done yet.

Rockets looking to expand blockbuster deal

The Durant acquisition is not yet official. There's no reason for Rockets fans to panic. The deal is going to happen, but the details remain unsettled.

They may be more complex than we'd originally thought.

The Athletic is reporting that the Rockets and Suns are looking to expand the deal (subscription required), but that's an understatement. This might be a 7-team trade.

That would be an NBA record.

Per The Athletic, fans shouldn't expect any real fireworks. It appears that the Durant deal will serve as a conduit for other transactions. Clint Capela's move to Houston is expected to be included as a sign-and-trade.

In a sense, this is non-news. Nothing seems likely to happen that will surprise anybody. Still, it's interesting that the Rockets could be part of history by brokering the largest deal in NBA history.

They might make another trade this summer, too.

Young Rockets wing is still on the market

It also seems that the Rockets are still shopping Cam Whitmore. The Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets are still shopping Whitmore for "non-player assets" (subscription required).

Let's be honest - Whitmore's days in Houston are numbered. The writing has been on the wall for so long that if you haven't read it, you might need vision correction.

Whitmore's minutes declined between his rookie and sophomore seasons. He lost Ime Udoka's trust. It makes sense to move him:

But should "non-player assets" be the target?

Rockets should get what they can for Whitmore

It's difficult to evaluate Whitmore's value.

Expectations for the 20th overall pick are typically low. That said, Whitmore is not your typical 20th overall pick. He was a projected lottery pick who slipped.

Whitmore's talent is undeniable. Some Rockets fans see him as a budding star. Whitmore may make good on his potential, but let's be realistic:

There's a reason he fell in the draft, and the Rockets are getting a first-hand look at why.

Picking a player 20th overall and flipping him for, say, a handful of second-round picks down the road isn't a disaster. It is a disappointing outcome for a player who many thought was the steal of the 2023 draft. Still, Rockets fans hoping for more should brace themselves for disappointment.

In any case, we're sure the Rockets are working hard to find a deal.