{"id":114255,"date":"2024-12-27T11:37:44","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T16:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=114255"},"modified":"2024-12-27T11:39:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T16:39:07","slug":"western-conference-team-houston-rockets-runaway-pick-trade-nba-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/12\/27\/western-conference-team-houston-rockets-runaway-pick-trade-nba-star\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Conference Team ‘Runaway Pick’ to Trade for NBA Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two months into the 2024-25 NBA season, many stars are already finding themselves in the rumor mill. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> and LeBron James<\/a> are rumored trade candidates, though both players will likely remain with their current teams<\/a>. On the other hand, Jimmy Butler<\/a> and Brandon Ingram<\/a> are more likely on their way out. The trade deadline is still a couple of months away. However, this will not stop the rumor mill from being active. In addition to many players being involved in potential trades, there are teams out there as well who may be looking to make a move. Recently, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (subscription required<\/a>) named the team most likely to acquire the next available star via a trade–the Houston Rockets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the team side, the Houston Rockets — with their combination of a coach who players are excited to play for in Ime Udoka<\/a>, their plethora of young players and a bunch of draft picks — are the runaway pick as the team to watch when the next star becomes available.<\/p>\n

“The whole landscape of the league,” an Eastern Conference scout said, “could change based off what they do.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Houston Rockets ‘Runaway Pick’ to Trade for NBA Star<\/h2>\n

Houston Rockets Are Unlikely to Trade for Jimmy Butler<\/h3>\n

One major player linked to the Rockets is Butler. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler has unofficially requested a trade<\/a> away from the Miami Heat<\/a>. Furthermore, Charania named the Rockets as a team Butler wants to go to. The Heat star is from Texas, and it could make sense from a basketball perspective as well. However, Rockets GM Rafael Stone recently said he does not anticipate making any major roster moves<\/a> soon.<\/p>\n

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According to ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania, the Miami Heat are open to listening to offers for Jimmy Butler.<\/p>\n

Houston\u2019s General Manager, Rafael Stone, shares his thoughts with @TermineRadio<\/a> on trade speculation involving the Rockets. pic.twitter.com\/cCclysaUZF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) December 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n