Kofi Inkoom
The Houston Rockets are determined to win now, and they mean business. Last season, despite adding key players like Dillon Brooks through a sign-and-trade, they ended with a 41-41 record, missing the playoffs in the process.
As they gear up for the next season, GM Raf Stone is eyeing a playoff spot, which will require adding another star player to increase their chances.
This offseason, the Rockets revealed their wishlist of star players: Kevin Durant, Paul George, Devin Booker, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, and Mikal Bridges. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to land any of these big names.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe has suggested that Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen should also be on the Rockets’ radar. On his podcast, The Lowe Post, Lowe discussed Markkanen’s potential market and mentioned Houston as a possible destination.
“Let’s start with Markkanen. He would fit anywhere. We know the Warriors would be happy to get him at the right price. That would change, theoretically, the landscape of the Western Conference. I’ve mentioned the Spurs as a possibility. The Rockets have been mentioned, just because they have a million young players.”
Lowe also shared his reservations about the Rockets making such a move.
“Houston is a really interesting one for me, because I’ve been of the view that if I’m the Rockets, I just need to let this thing marinate. I’m not rushing. I just don’t know enough about my team and how it all fits together and what all these players can do. I know Ime Udoka and the coaching staff, they wanna win. They wanna hit the gas now and Markkanen would be a way to hit the gas. They’re clearly an interesting team.”
According to Shams Charania, the Jazz are seeking a couple of first-round picks and an impactful player in exchange for Markkanen. When the Golden State Warriors showed interest in the Finnish forward, Charania noted that Utah would expect a significant offer, including Brandin Podziemski and multiple picks.
“I don’t think (the Jazz) want to move Lauri Markkanen,” Charania said via Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area. “But if the Golden State Warriors put in a Brandin Podziemski and – from what I’m told – three first-round picks, three or four unprotected pick swaps, three or four second-round picks…”
For Houston to acquire Markkanen, they would also need to offer future picks and a key player. Markkanen, who made the All-Star team in 2022-23 and won Most Improved Player, posted impressive stats: 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 49.9% shooting from the field, 39.1% from three, 87.5% from the foul line, and a 64% true shooting percentage.
This past season, the 27-year-old averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 48% shooting from the field, 39.9% from three, 89.9% from the foul line, and a 63.1% true shooting percentage.
Markkanen becomes eligible for a contract renegotiation and extension on August 6. If the Jazz extend him then, he could be traded as early as February 6, 2025, but if the extension happens later, he wouldn’t be trade-eligible until the 2025 offseason.