The Houston Rockets have executed a multi-draft pick swap with the Brooklyn Nets, aiming to aggressively pursue a star player, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Rockets are particularly interested in acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. To facilitate this, they have gathered significant draft capital in hopes of enticing the Suns to trade the 14-time All-Star. However, sources indicate that Phoenix intends to retain Durant, prompting Houston to explore other potential deals.
In the trade, Houston is sending back to Brooklyn the Nets’ 2025 pick swap and 2026 first-round pick, both of which were originally part of the James Harden deal in 2021. In return, the Rockets receive the Suns’ 2027 first-round pick and a 2025 pick swap from the Suns, which Brooklyn had obtained by trading Durant to the Suns last season.
Additionally, the Rockets acquire a 2029 first-rounder, which will be the more favorable pick between the Suns and the Dallas Mavericks. They also secure the right to swap their own pick with the less favorable of the Mavericks’ and Suns’ selections that year.
Should Houston choose a more patient approach in their pursuit of a star player, they could consider making a move for Devin Booker, another key player for the Suns, according to Wojnarowski.
Last offseason, the Rockets made significant additions to their roster, signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks to substantial free-agent contracts. Despite a strong start to the 2023-24 season, Houston finished with a 41-41 record, missing the play-in tournament.
The Rockets hold the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft, which is also considered a potential trade asset. Currently, their roster includes six players selected in the first round over the past three seasons.
On the other hand, the Nets have managed to reclaim their remaining picks lost in the Harden deal, positioning themselves for a full-scale rebuild.
This trade was announced shortly after the Nets reportedly received five first-round picks from the New York Knicks in exchange for Mikal Bridges.
