{"id":169041,"date":"2025-12-07T15:15:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T20:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=169041"},"modified":"2025-12-07T15:15:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T20:15:52","slug":"should-the-rockets-go-star-hunting-via-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/07\/should-the-rockets-go-star-hunting-via-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Should The Rockets Go Star Hunting Via Trade?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite their Saturday night loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets still look like one of the top teams out West. However, now that their bizarre schedule<\/a> is finally evening out, they’ve dropped to the fourth seed. This happens to coincide with a couple of big names becoming potentially available in the NBA. Should the Rockets do some star hunting on the trade market?<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Rockets Go Star Hunting Via Trade?<\/h2>\n

Houston lost to Dallas 109-122 on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday<\/a>. That’s the Dallas team that’s 9-16 and was without Klay Thompson<\/a> and Kyrie Irving<\/a>. Notably, they did have Anthony Davis<\/a> available for once, putting up 29 on 73.7% shooting and still just reminding Dallas fans of what they’ve lost<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Houston will have been more concerned with their own absences, though. Star center Alperen Sengun<\/a> missed his second game with an illness, and backup\/occasional double bigs starter Steven Adams<\/a> doesn’t play in back-to-backs. Also, perhaps partially because of Adams, but also due to a myriad other factors, the Rockets just don’t play very well on the second night of back-to-backs. It’s a trend that goes back to last season<\/a>. It’s no real surprise that they would drop the first two such games of their season.<\/p>\n

All of that is to say, Houston isn’t assuming the panic stations just yet – “we” actually do not<\/em> have a problem. But there may be some urgency originating from outside circumstances. There are a couple of big names who may or may not be up for grabs. If Houston doesn’t decide quickly, someone else might grab them first.<\/p>\n

The Point God<\/h3>\n

The first big but kinda not so big name to consider is Chris Paul<\/a>. Paul’s retirement tour isn’t turning out quite as expected. However, there is something very quintessentially CP3 about being kicked off your own retirement tour<\/a> for being a pain in the ass. The Los Angeles Clippers showing absolutely zero appreciation for their franchise GOAT is also pretty much par for the course. Who knows if Paul ever considered a retirement tour with Houston<\/a> instead? Or if the Houston front office wanted him. In theory, though, it’s still not too late to jump ship.<\/p>\n

But it’s unclear if Houston would be interested. Paul is still a big name in the NBA but not a big star. This season, he’s averaging just 2.9 points and 3.3 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. Even in 27.3 minutes per game over the two seasons before that<\/a>, he was averaging just 9.0 points and 7.1 assists. The Rockets’ point guard situation<\/a> is certainly a little unorthodox right now. Still, the biggest difference Paul would make for the team would probably be in the locker room. They already have out-for-the-season Fred VanVleet<\/a> filling that role, though. And anyway, as we’ve seen, Paul’s locker-room presence, coupled with a smaller on-court role, isn’t always well-received.<\/p>\n

The Greek Freak<\/h3>\n

The much more dramatic addition would be two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>. The Greek Freak hasn’t publicly requested a trade out of Milwaukee, but the media is certainly running with the idea that it’s imminent<\/a>. Then again, they’ve been running with that narrative off and on for the past… half a decade? However, things certainly do look bleak in Wisconsin this time around. The team has a 10-15 record, and Antetokounmpo has no clear second option. The expectation is that a bidding war won’t determine Antetokounmpo’s next destination. Rather, much like how Durant got to Houston… and Phoenix before that, Antetokounmpo will get to cherry-pick his next team.<\/p>\n

\"Houston
Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) attempts to drive with the ball around Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Complication for any Rockets Trade<\/h4>\n

Milwaukee would surely be hoping that Antetokounmpo considers Houston. The Rockets certainly have the picks and young players to build an attractive return. It’s worth noting, though, that any such return wouldn’t include VanVleet’s $25 million salary. That’s because of his “implied no-trade clause”. While the word “implied” implies some wiggle room, it really just means automatic. VanVleet would have to consent to any deal that would result in him losing his bird rights, which, with the way his contract is structured, would be any trade at all.<\/p>\n

Some Rockets fans would undoubtedly feel uneasy about trading away their promising young core for a 31-year-old, often (and indeed currently) injured bully-ball specialist. The reality is that NBA teams only get so many bites at the apple. As long as you can keep the doctors away, a Giannis and Kevin Durant<\/a> duo would surely devour the whole thing. This season, Giannis is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He’s second in the NBA in player efficiency rating<\/a> and third in box plus\/minus and winshares per 48 minutes. Starting last year, Giannis has also been settling into a much more streamlined and efficient post-game, indicating he may age better than expected. There’s no doubt that getting Giannis would cost the Rockets a lot, but there’s little doubt that it would be the right move if they can pull it off.<\/p>\n