Houston Rockets Set Sights on 2 Superstar Targets This Summer

The Houston Rockets will have two 'superstars' in particular that they will be focusing on landing this offseason

After getting manhandled in Game 7 by the Golden State Warriors, it's apparent that the upstart Houston Rockets aren't quite ready for prime time just yet. Which only means that they'll be even more laser-focused on getting over the hump next season by landing a superstar to elevate them to serious contender status.

Per a number of reports, there are two 'superstars' in particular that they will be focusing on.

But how will they win the sweepstakes to pry one of these elite talents away?

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report notes that they have a truckload of enticing draft assets, to start:

2025 No. 9 pick
2027 Phoenix Suns first-rounder
2028, 2030, 2032 first-rounders
2027, 2029, 2031 first-round swap rights
2029 Dallas Mavericks or Suns first-rounder

He also lists a number of young players and/or salary fits that could work to help make the numbers get close on a trade for a $50M player:

Jabari Smith Jr. ($12.4 million)
Reed Sheppard ($10.6 million)
Jock Landale ($8 million)
Aaron Holiday ($4.9 million)
Cam Whitmore ($3.5 million)
Nate Williams ($2.3 million)

Could the Rockets trade Jalen Green to land a superstar this summer?

And if all that fails, they could always use Jalen Green and his $33.3M salary as the focal point to bring in a superstar.

"At just 23, Green could appeal to several rebuilding teams looking for a young, exciting star," writes Pincus. "He carries a heavy but not outrageous salary that can expire with his player option before the 2027-28 season."

He then suggests packaging Green with Sheppard, Landale and Holiday, which would be enough to bring back $56.8 million in returning salary—enough to land that elusive superstar.

Now we get to the good stuff: Who are they targeting? According to Pincus, the two names that are most likely to be attainable:

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns

After another first-round exit, and the loss of Damian Lillard to injury for likely the entire next season, the Bucks are going nowhere fast, and Giannis wants to capitalize on his prime years before it's too late. Many observers expect him to be open to a trade this summer, even if he isn't saying so right at the moment.

As for Durant, we know that the Suns & KD will be working together on a trade to get him somewhere of his choosing this summer. Will he choose Houston?

Pincus's compatriot Zach Buckley at Bleacher Report suggests this trade could

get it done:

Fred VanVleet (on a club option of $44.8M), Cam Whitmore, plus three first-round picks (2025, 2027, 2028) going to Phoenix in exchange for Durant.

It will be a busy offseason in Houston, as they attempt to take their next step towards championship contention, which starts by trying to land one of these former champions and all-time greats.