Houston Rockets could target superstars Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler via trade

Now it’s time for Houston. Well, sort of. The Rockets are poised to become a contending franchise, which comes years after James Harden forced his exit via trade, launching a rebuild.

The team began rebuilding the traditional way, building a young core through the draft. The team quickly grew impatient, leading them to sign Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks last offseason.

Now, the team is ready to continue building a winning roster, which could lead to some important decisions this offseason. With the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and plenty of young talent as trade chips, there’s reason to believe general manager Rafael Stone could take this team to the next level.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Monday that the team could be in the market for a few star forwards, including superstars Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler, as well as Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram.

“The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would like to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players such as Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart. other teams say the Rockets might have interest in targeting (with some names more far-fetched than others),” Givony wrote.

Luring talent such as Durant and Butler — two superstar forwards to teams without a clear path to improvement as potential suitors — seems far-fetched for the Rockets. They do, however, have recruiting capital and young talent, which could help a team in a roster-building rut spark a rebuild.

Bridges and Ingram are much more accessible for the Rockets, although Bridges might be the most accessible. Either way, the Rockets will have to offer some of their future in exchange for win-now players.

Expect Houston to be on the trade market before the draft, and if they don’t make a move, they will be embroiled in rumors and reports throughout the offseason.

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