The casual nature of the combine — conversations with league executives, agents, media and scouts held either in the lobby and restaurant area of the Marriott Marquis or on the concourse of the adjacent Wintrust Arena — gave an early peek into outside interest in the Rockets’ No. 3 pick. Talks have largely been informal, the bulk of concrete offers likely won’t come in until draft night, but a handful of teams have expressed interest in acquiring the pick, team and league sources told The Athletic. Interested teams would either like to move up to No. 3 or ones that would like to move into the first round altogether, sources said.
Team sources said Houston will listen to offers. For example, moving back and collecting additional assets should not be ruled out as a possibility, not this early in the process. Since 29 other teams may have 29 opinions on the top of the draft, big boards could vary. Last season, the Rockets expected Cam Whitmore (who had been highly graded) to be gone by the time their 20th pick came around. They were prepared to trade out of the draft entirely — and were surprised he was still on the board when the pick arrived. A similar situation could arise next month, with a player they like at No. 3 potentially available at say, No. 9.
Another possibility, if the Rockets were to move the No. 3 pick, is packaging it with additional assets for a star. Houston is flush with young talent and draft capital that could appeal to teams with elite talent in flux. One player who fits is Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell. The Rockets are among those interested in the 27-year-old and have been monitoring his situation for months, league sources say. The Cavaliers guard’s delay in inking a long-term extension, coupled with another disheartening playoff exit, only adds to speculation about his future. Such a move for an All-NBA type player would be more suitable than for others who could potentially be available — New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges — for example.
Houston also could look to acquire future draft picks, such as Brooklyn’s array of assets courtesy of the Phoenix Suns/Kevin Durant trade. The Houston Chronicle first reported the Rockets’ interest in the Suns’ unprotected first-round picks (Brooklyn has ownership of 2025, ’27 and ’29 Phoenix firsts in addition to swaps beginning in 2028). Per team sources, the Rockets will re-engage with the Nets leading up to the June 26 draft.
by UnbiasedNBAFan_
20 Comments
I didn’t see any news who Rockets had work out with so far. They’re probably more interesting in trade.
God please no
The worst star player to center your team around. I’m afraid Stone is eager to sell on Green.
Trade bait
I have a lot of Jalen green stock but I wouldn’t be too upset moving him for Donovan Mitchell. Makes a playoff team for sure I just don’t know if it’s enough to compete with the big dogs of the west.
I don’t think Spider is perfect, far from it. But I do think we have the assets to pull off two big trades and still have young players with high value.
Why cant we just develop the team we have now instead of trading for a guy who will never make it out of the 2nd round?
Nothing worse you can do than trading for a guy who has one elite (tbh more like “very good”) skill. The best players on every championship team in recent memory all were elite at at least 2 things. Mitchell doesn’t move the needle enough against the Mavs/Wolves/Nuggets/Thunder
Surely the Cavs are in the east finals? Correct?
Oh, he hasnt even been to a conference finals?
Pass, our homegrown guys have potential to be great playoff players. Mitchell is what he is idk if we even win 10 more games
What is the case for Donovan Mitchell? Surely the FO doesn’t think he moves the dial in terms of contending in the west?
Please no. Dude quit on his team
Why not just go the season as is?
We have an Adam’s addition still retain a good portion of our players
Green and Sengun def getting better together
The young guys are gonna improve
I just believe we shouldn’t be quick to trade away any of our core
No to Donovan please. He is an amazing athlete but i just don’t see it
Why max out a bucket getting guard when either (🤞 both) Jalen or Cam is going to be a nightly 25 soon enough?
Trade for future assets. We were very lucky to draft well coming out of our rebuilding era. Those assets need to grow, and be given time for an evaluation of their long-term potential. If you trade for future assets now and someone doesn’t work out, then you’ve got the ammunition to replace them.
We trying to be mid?
I’m not against Mikal for our 3rd
I still think our 3rd pick will be sent alongside Green for a “star”.
I’m ok with that if the player is Mitchell, depending on how much we have to give up for him.
People keep talking about trading only if we become contenders, I don’t see us becoming contenders in the West with this team, no matter who we bring. We are still too young.
If we bring a star it is to gain playoff experience in the coming seasons. And I think that’s extremely valuable and will pay off in the future.
I’d rather have Mexican food in Ohio than add Mitchell to this team
Honestly i’d be more interested in trading for Darius Garland. He could be the pg of the future with FVV only having one more guaranteed season. Something like salary filler plus the number 3 pick for Garland.