The name says that the Rockets must be traded on draft day! Who should Stone trade for a superstar? 89% of fans voted for Green

On June 9, Beijing time, Grant Hughes of the "Bleachers" believes that the Rockets will definitely make a trade on draft day. In the article, he pointed out that the Rockets are the second most likely favorite team to complete a trade on draft day, behind the Brooklyn Nets, and the trade probability is higher than that of the Hornets, Spurs, Thunder and others.

"The sheer amount of assets the Rockets have, combined with growing trade rumors, makes them a 'must-make team' for draft night," Hughes wrote. ”

Jalen Green's three-year, $105 million contract extension last summer seems to have been designed to facilitate trades, and Shin Kyung is now an All-Star on a contract below the maximum salary. Add to that a large number of players on rookie contracts, a No. 10 draft pick, and a plethora of future first-round picks, including the Suns' unprotected 2027 first-round pick, and the Rockets have every trade chip imaginable. ”

"Given that the Rockets already have an elite defense and need a star scorer to upgrade their roster, they're ready for a blockbuster trade. Don't be surprised if they make a deal on draft night. ”

Previously, many reports said that the Rockets have long been associated with superstars such as Antetokounmpo and Durant. So, which young player should the Rockets focus on to offer superstars?

Houst-based media outlet The Dream Shake conducted a fan survey, and the results showed that 89% of fans chose Jalen Green, 9% chose Shin Jing, and only 2% chose Amen Thompson. It was previously reported that Amen Thompson was the only non-sale item in the Rockets' lineup.

Given the amount of assets the Rockets can provide, the team is likely to negotiate a trade around the No. 10 pick in the near future. It's also true that the Rockets are more likely to trade the No. 10 pick than pick another rookie.

For the past two years, the Rockets have had to adopt a so-called "draft and hide" strategy. In 2024, they drafted Shepard with a scout signing, but the defender averaged just 12.6 minutes per game in 52 games. It's a similar story with Whitmore, drafted in 2023, who has dropped his playing time from 18.7 minutes per game to 16.2 this season. There's just not enough room for more rookies in the current rotation.