Report: Rockets Could Pursue Kevin Durant, Paul George, Jimmy Butler

According to multiple NBA reports, the Houston Rockets could pursue Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jimmy Butler. 

The Rockets are in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster.

“The Rockets are clearly in win-now mode and would love to add star power to their roster, with players such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram as well as role players including Brook Lopez and Marcus Smart being some that other teams say the Rockets could have interest in targeting (with some names more far-fetched than others),” NBA insiders Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of ESPN reported. 

“The Houston Rockets are big game hunting, and one of the many notable names on their radar is Paul George, league sources told HoopsHype,” NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported. “George could potentially exercise his $48.8 million player option to facilitate a trade to his next destination, but currently, the chances of Houston landing George are unlikely, sources said.”

The Rockets have the third overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Houston has had exploratory conversations about trading the No. 3 overall pick in a package for a win-now player upgrade and potentially moving back in the draft, Scotto reported. 

The Rockets went 41-41 in 2023-24 under first-year head coach Ime Udoka. The team’s best player, Alperen Sengun, is expected to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. 

Houston hasn’t had a superstar since James Harden, who requested a trade in 2020-21 and was sent to the Brooklyn Nets. Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard also played for the Rockets during the Harden era. 

“Should Houston not make a draft-night trade, the Rockets still will be worth monitoring for a splash over the summer,” Scotto reported. “Houston has team options on Jeff Green ($8 million) and Jae’Sean Tate ($7.57 million) and the $8 million non-guaranteed salary of Jock Landale, which can all be used as trade bait.”