Shortly before Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and five second-round picks.
After falling short to the Warriors in the playoffs, the Rockets are aiming for a deeper postseason run. With Kevin Durant in the fold, Houston will now look to build around a core of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.
With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Houston now faces a depth shortage and will need to retool the roster. Here are two moves that could turn Houston from pretenders into contenders.
Declining Fred VanVleet’s Team Option
Veteran guard Fred VanVleet enters the 2025 offseason with an uncertain future. The Rockets have a $44.9 million team option they will likely decline in the coming days, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.
VanVleet is coming off his second season with the Rockets. No longer performing at the level he showed during his time with the Raptors, the Rockets now face a key decision on his future. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 points (38% FG, 35% 3PT, 81% FT), 3.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game this past season.
Declining the option is the unquestioned best move, as signing the checks for that and Kevin Durant’s salary accounts for $94 million of cap space.
With the Rockets needing to improve their guard depth, creating financial flexibility is crucial.
Veteran point guards like Spencer Dinwiddie, Tyus Jones, and Dennis Schröder could help bolster this roster. While keeping VanVleet may still be a priority, it will require a significant pay cut.
A Jabari Smith Jr. Trade
Entering the 2025 offseason, 2022 first-round pick Jabari Smith Jr. could be a trade candidate. Smith is coming off another steady season and still holds value for teams hoping to unlock his full potential.
With a well-rounded forward group that includes Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, and now Kevin Durant, Smith could become expendable. If the Rockets re-sign Jae’Sean Tate to a team-friendly deal, that could further complicate Smith’s role moving forward.
If Smith is moved this offseason, the Rockets should look to add a capable shooting guard to the rotation. Three potential targets who make sense are Jordan Clarkson, Max Christie, and Dalton Knecht.
Clarkson has been a reliable contributor throughout his NBA career, including stints with the Lakers and Cavaliers. His scoring ability could bolster the Rockets’ offense while complementing their strong defense.
Clarkson averaged 16.2 points (41% FG, 36% 3PT, 80% FT), 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this past season. With the Jazz shifting towards the youth movement led by Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George, Clarkson could become a trade candidate.
Another intriguing option is Max Christie. After three seasons with the Lakers before being traded to the Mavericks, Christie has shown flashes of potential and steady improvement.
After trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers and landing the No. 1 overall pick, Dallas looks to revitalize their roster. Christie could be a young, cost-efficient option to slide into the shooting guard position.
Last season, Christie nearly averaged double figures, posting 9.6 points per contest, including a strong finish over his final 10 games. With the Rockets developing Amen Thompson and seeing him blossom, Christie could similarly benefit from Houston’s coaching staff.
The final player the Rockets should consider targeting is Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht. Knecht was nearly included in the Mark Williams trade during his rookie year, making him a potential candidate to be moved.
Knecht could provide valuable floor spacing for Houston, having shot 37.6% from three last season. Surrounded by ball-dominant guys like Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun, Knecht’s off-ball shooting could be a natural fit.
After a challenging rookie year, Knecht has bounce-back potential and could be a key role player for a contending Rockets team.
What’s Next for the Rockets?
Even with the Kevin Durant trade, Rockets fans will be wondering what the team’s next move might be. Between a possible long-term extension for Fred VanVleet and a potential Jabari Smith Jr. trade, several options remain on the table.
Now, fans will wait and see what general manager Rafael Stone has planned for the upcoming NBA season.
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