Thanks to their blockbuster trade acquisition of Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets would like to believe that they’re already at an NBA championship-contending level.
But based on the relatively low asset cost of the deal, the Rockets still have the option to make even more big moves in the future, should it be necessary.
Like, perhaps, a pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In a television segment Monday, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explains:
They already were a No. 2 seed, but that was mostly based on their defense. The reason they didn’t have a run in the postseason was largely because of their offense. Well, they just went out and acquired one of the greatest offensive players of all-time, and specifically one who’s terrific at generating his own jump shots from mid-range and long-range, which is the area they were weakest in.
They were able to do it without giving up any of the players they want to build around. So, while KD is at a different age range than so many of their players, but it won’t affect the development of those guys. I think you’re heading into next season looking at the Rockets as a prime contender to the Thunder repeating as champions.
And they have some offseason work to do, where they could reshape their roster even more. Most importantly, if a star player becomes available, they are still armed and ready to make a major swing at another star, if that’s what they deem the best move.
Antetokounmpo hasn’t yet asked for a trade out of Milwaukee, and he might not this offseason. But if he does — or if it happens during the upcoming 2025-26 season — the Rockets still have enough assets to be a serious contender for his services, should they desire.
The same goes for any other star player that might hit the market, too.
It’s a good place to be for a young and improving team that was already in a good spot, having recently finished a 52-30 regular season while securing the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings. Now, with Durant in the fold and the optionality for further moves down the line, the Rockets have every reason to think even bigger.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Armed and ready’: Post-Durant trade, Brian Windhorst bullish on Rockets’ future paths
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
