After trading for All-Star forward Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets are currently without a pick in the 2025 NBA draft. While Houston will technically still make its previous selections at No. 10 and No. 59 overall, those will be traded to the Phoenix Suns in July (as part of the Durant deal).
But by the time things are all said and done, it’s reportedly possible that general manager Rafael Stone could trade back into the 2025 draft.
Per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle, which is currently offering a special promotion of 25-cent digital subsciptions (for three months):
The Rockets are exploring options for trading to get back into the draft in the scenario that a player they really like slides down and there is an opportunity to acquire the selection at a low enough price. Sources tell the Houston Chronicle that the Rockets have identified about five prospects, mostly projected first-round picks, who could fit that criteria. If that happens, the player drafted is likely to be a high-upside depth piece.
A rookie-scale contract could also be on friendly financial terms for up to four years, which could be useful to Houston as its roster gets increasingly more expensive in future seasons.
The first round takes place Wednesday night, followed by the second round on Thursday afternoon. The Rockets are hosting a fan event at Toyota Center for the first round, which would certainly become more lively if Houston is able to trade back into the draft.
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Houston Chronicle: Rockets to explore trading back into 2025 NBA draft
Reporting by Ben DuBose, Rockets Wire / Rockets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
