Dave Litman
The Houston Rockets’ 2025-26 season finishes as a huge disappointment, with another first-round exit. The big move last offseason to trade for Kevin Durant has been a flop, as the team dropped from the 2-seed in the West in 2024-25, to the 5th-seed this season.
We heard consistently that Durant was just not fitting in with his new Rockets teammates. And between his burner-account controversy in which Durant was thought to be bashing his fellow Rockets on Twitter/X, and the inability to mesh with the team, it was a disaster.
So the question now is, do the Rockets double down on the Durant move, and try to bring in another disgruntled superstar to pair him with?
If that’s the case, senior NBA analyst Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has suggested a framework of a blockbuster deal that the Rockets should look to make. It would bring in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it would involve moving off of Alperen Sengun:
Houston Rockets receive:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks receive:
- Alperen Sengun
- Reed Sheppard
- 1st-Round Picks
“Given the fit of Sengun and Amen (Thompson), given their total lack of shooting, I’d be calling Milwaukee to see if Sengun could be the centerpiece in a Giannis deal,” Vecenie said.
He went on to qualify his hypothetical offer with the thought that the Bucks would much rather have another young Rockets star.
“If I’m Milwaukee, I’m asking for Amen, but I don’t want to do that if I’m Houston.”
Will the Rockets chase another superstar this summer?
Vecenie isn’t the only pundit pondering a big Rockets’ move this summer. Sam Amick in The Athletic also wondered about what Houston’s path forward would look like after another playoff flameout this season.
They must decide whether to double down on a roster with clear concerns or perhaps go all in — yet again — by chasing another superstar this summer when Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard or Donovan Mitchell could be up for grabs.
Whether it’s Giannis, Kawhi or Spida, expect to hear the Rockets linked to some entertaining trade rumors this offseason.
