NBA Trade Rumors: The Houston Rockets are reportedly eyeing the possibility of adding another difference-making veteran guard.
The Houston Rockets made two of the bigger moves in free agency this past offseason when they elected to sign Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to big deals. With hopes of possibly making a return to the playoffs in the Western Conference, or even simply entering the conversation, the Rockets are hoping they have found the perfect mix of young talent and veteran contributors.
Even though it remains to be seen if the team’s offseason moves will move the needle enough to allow the Rockets to emerge as real players in the West, it’s clear that this franchise has grown tired of the slow rebuilding process.
On the eve of the start of the regular season, there are more whispers that the Rockets may not be entirely done adding veterans to their roster. According to a recent report, the Rockets have expressed interest in acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers. At least for now, there haven’t been serious discussions between the two teams and there’s not even a guarantee that the Blazers will trade Brogdon this season.
Nevertheless, it’s something to keep an eye out for as we inch closer and closer to the NBA Trade Deadline.
Are the Houston Rockets looking to make another big splash?
With this report, I believe the bigger story revolves around the idea behind the interest. If the Rockets did express interest in Brogdon, that likely means that Houston is eyeing another move to add more veteran talent. It could make sense considering Kevin Porter Jr. is no longer a part of the team.
It also tells us that the Rockets are serious about making a move up the Western Conference standings this season – and it echoes the thinking behind their free-agency moves.
Interestingly, the Rockets have talent on their roster. The big question is whether they have enough talent to compete for a top 10 spot in the West. That’s not clear, especially considering how deep the rest of the conference is.
VanVleet and Brooks should help the Rockets be a bit more consistent this season, and they certainly add depth that the team didn’t have last season. But you’d have to imagine that the team’s ceiling this season is going to be decided by the continued development of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
No matter who else the Rockets may add before the push for the playoffs, the Rockets’ chances of making the playoffs will be decided by their two young faces of the franchise.