The Houston Rockets are acting aggressively during the offseason. Their first move was quiet but it had loud implications. They swapped their 2026 first-round pick with the Nets and gained the 2027 first-round pick owed to the Nets by the Phoenix Suns. It is believed to be a deal to entice the Suns to make available Kevin Durant, who has been heavily linked with the Rockets in recent days. Not only do they have connections close to Durant, but the Rockets might leverage ‘Baby Jokic’ to bring the Slim Reaper.

When speaking on Unsportsmanlike, Brian Windhorst dropped some major news bombs revolving around Houston. The revered insider first exposed the ties Durant has to the Rockets. Ime Udoka, the head coach at Houston has worked with Durant while a part of the Nets and is still close to him. There is also a member of Udoka’s coaching staff that according to Windhorst is “one of the closest players to Durant in the NBA”. 

Amidst such revelations, the Rocket might also listen to offers for Alperen Sengun, the center popularly compared to Nikola Jokic. The exceptional passing big could be traded as part of a deal for Kevin Durant but that is only if the Rockets hold their number three pick and draft UConn’s Donovan Clingan to essentially replace Sengun.

Alperen Sengun has been a pivotal part of the new-looking Houston Rockets. He had a breakout season averaging a career-high 21.1 points and 9.3 rebounds. His playmaking abilities are transcending for a center and had an exponential role in the Rockets’ success last season. However, there is an impending contract extension awaiting the Turkish star. The reported figure could be around $200 million. Hence, they might look to trade him along with the draft consideration in an attempt to tempt the Suns to lose their grip on Durant.

Rockets could flip the script

The offseason rumor mill has made sure that the NBA realm is aware of the Rockets’ chase for a star. While Kevin Durant’s name has popped up, they don’t need to choose to go for him. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are bound to act aggressively in the market due to their desperation to upgrade the roster.

Given the draft leverage they have over Phoenix, Wojnarowski believes the Rockets could potentially look to target Devin Booker instead of 36-year-old Kevin Durant if the Suns decide to break up the team. Booker’s youth and myriad of offensive skills make him an attractive option for the Rockets. Additionally, Udoka is an expert when presented with highly functional offensive players as he proved during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets.

One thing is for sure, the Rockets have opened the door for a superstar to grace their roster for the first time since James Harden left. The front office feels they are one move away from building a winning roster. If not Durant or Booker, the Rockets have a vast market to explore. Maybe they could lure free agents such as Jimmy Butler for a price cheaper than both the Slim Reaper and D-Book.

Do you want to see the Rockets go big in a trade? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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