Sorry Rockets fans, but it looks like a Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Rockets trade is not imminent. The Houston Rockets are blasting off to start the season, and reports are out that they are not interested in trading their young core for Antetokounmpo. The Rockets trade rumors are always swirling as the team has a history of making big trades for stars. This season, however, the Rockets’ young core is looking great, and at least reportedly, they don’t want to shake things up.
Rockets Reportedly Not Interested In Trading For This MVP Candidate
A Giannis Rockets Trade Is Unlikely
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported that the Rockets aren’t looking to break up their young core for Giannis. Reports like this come out all the time, and it is hard to tell what is true and what is just posturing. Teams will commonly say that their players aren’t on the trade market, or they aren’t looking to make a big move publicly, all while making calls behind the scenes. Although this might seem like a bold decision by the Rockets, it isn’t hard to understand why they want to keep things how they are.
Rockets Trade Rumors Could Threaten Success
The main reason to keep your team out of trade rumors is to not mess with the chemistry. Right now, it seems like the Rockets’ chemistry is at a high. The team is currently a surprise fourth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 11-5. The team is currently ranked third in defensive rating and 11th in offensive rating. They are fifth in net rating.
The team’s success hinges on a perfect blend of young high-upside athleticism and talent with veteran leadership. This recipe is not only delivering the Rockets wins but is making them question whether they are willing to trade away parts of their young core to make a home run trade. As the team presently stands, they likely don’t quite have enough talent to compete for a championship, but choosing to develop their young talent so that they can in the next few years may just pay off.
The Rockets Young Core
The Rockets’ roster is loaded with young talent. Right now, five of their seven players playing heavy minutes are all first-round draft picks from the last few seasons. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are the two offensive stars. Green leads the team in scoring, while Sengun leads the team in rebounds and blocks and is second in scoring and assists. Both players could probably be key pieces in a big trade, but they’re both on the path to stardom in their own right.
Tari Eason is a menace
Six more steals tonight off the Houston bench. He’s averaging 11.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.2 SPG, and 1.1 BPG in just 23.1 MPG
The embodiment of Rockets basketball pic.twitter.com/rkZzT6Dcyg
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) November 21, 2024
On the defensive side of the ball, they have even more young talent. The Rockets have already reportedly made it known that Amen Thompson and Tari Eason were not available in trade talks. Jabari Smith Jr. is also a strong defensive presence who has shown glimpses of being able to space the floor on the offensive end. He is probably the most expendable of the Rockets’ core players.
All to say, it makes sense for the Rockets to continue to see where this young core can take them. None of the players mentioned are more than 23 years old, and their primes are still ahead of them. That being said, if a player of Giannis’ caliber becomes available. Every team will likely try and make a call, even Houston.
