The Houston Rockets are coming off a surprising 2023-24 campaign under first-year head coach Ime Udoka. They finished with a 41-41 record, winning just one game less than the previous two seasons combined.
Despite this, Houston jumped all the way up to No. 3 in the 2024 NBA Draft via the lottery. This has general manager Rafael Stone in a prime position to add more young infusion into the mix.
We’re also hearing that the Rockets are looking to move the third selection as part of a package for a proven All-Star caliber player. With the 2024 NBA Draft getting going later this month, let’s look at 5 ideal Rockets trade scenarios.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
Houston Rockets land Brandon Ingram in blockbuster
Houston has a core young group that includes Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore. The team could very well use more scoring out on the wing. Fully on the NBA trade block, Ingram has more than provided that for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s averaging 23.1 points on 47% shooting over the course of the past five seasons.
Brandon Ingram trade details
- Houston Rockets get: Brandon Ingram, 17th pick, 2 2nd-round picks
- New Orleans Pelicans get: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, 3rd pick
Houston Rockets trade down with Memphis Grizzlies
It’s being noted that the Grizzlies are among those teams interested in moving up into the top three for UConn product Donovan Clingan. It makes sense with the team in need of another big man after an injury-plagued and disappointing season. From Houston’s perspective, moving down in the top 10 to collect more assets would enable the team to eye an impact trade for a veteran later in the summer.
Grizzlies, Rockets trade details
- Houston Rockets get: Brandon Clarke, 9th pick, future first-round pick
- Memphis Grizzlies get: 3rd pick
Houston Rockets acquire Lauri Markkanen
The Utah Jazz could very well trade Lauri Markkanen this summer. If so, Houston should definitely come calling. The 27-year-old forward is averaging a robust 24.3 points and 8.4 rebounds on 40% shooting from three-point range over the past two seasons. The idea of him teaming up with Alperen Sengun in the Rockets’ frontcourt might be too hard for Rafael Stone and Co. to pass up on. Meanwhile, the Jazz have also been linked to trade-up scenarios for Donovan Clingan.
Lauri Markkanen trade details
- Houston Rockets get: Lauri Markkanen, 10th pick
- Utah Jazz get: Jalen Green, 3rd pick
Related: 50 best NBA players of 2024
Houston Rockets blockbuster trade for Trae Young
We know full well Trae Young is on the the trade block heading into this summer. We’re just not 100% sure what his value is. It’s also questionable if he’d be a fit with Fred VanVleet in the Rockets’ backcourt. What we do know is that the still-young guard is a bucket waiting to happen (25.5 PPG in his career). We’re pretty darn sure that Udoka would find a way to make this work. A core group of Young, Sengun, Smith Jr., Thompson and Whitmore has untapped potential.
Trae Young trade details
- Houston Rockets get: Trae Young, 2025 1st-round pick (via Sacramento)
- Atlanta Hawks get: 3rd pick, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate
Related: Top NBA free agents of 2024
Mikal Bridges heads to the Houston Rockets
Houston has put in several calls to the Brooklyn Nets in an attempt to pry Bridges away. Nothing has come to fruition on this end. But we expect the team to continue its pursuit. Boasting the No. 3 pick in the NBA Draft, the Rockets now have ammo that might entice Brooklyn in a potential trade. We love the 27-year-old Bridges as a fit in Houston. The wing is averaging 19.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 38% shooting from distance over the past three seasons.
Mikal Bridges trade details
- Houston Rockets get: Mikal Bridges
- Brooklyn Nets get: Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, 3rd pick
