The Houston Rockets have been one of the biggest surprises in the 2024-2025 NBA season up to this point. Houston is looking to make a splash at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. One potential name to watch for in a trade during the deadline is Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard.
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Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball as Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe (20) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
This season, Milwaukee has a 12-11 record and is the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Houston Rockets have a 16-8 record and are currently the third seed in the Western Conference.
Fadeawayworld.net Thinks That the Houston Rockets Could Trade For Milwaukee Bucks Point Guard Damian Lillard Before the Trade Deadline
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Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles during the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Fadeawayworld.net writer Fran Leiva wrote about five stars the Houston Rockets should target and five stars they should avoid. One of the names mentioned in a potential deal for the Rockets is Milwaukee Bucks starting point guard Damian Lillard.
This season, Milwaukee has been too reliant on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Outside of those two players, they don’t have much depth on the roster. Leiva said:
“Pulling off a deal for Dame could look something like this: you send out Fred VanVleet, a couple of non-starters from the young core (think guys like Tari Eason and Reed Sheppard), and a big pile of future draft picks. That way, you keep your key guys like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun intact while still landing a superstar. Dame would give the Rockets an elite scorer and playmaker who could take over in clutch moments, something they’re still missing. Plus, with his experience, he’d be the perfect mentor to help this young team learn how to win.
There’s no denying that Dame’s contract is steep—he’s making $48.8 million this season and has $58.5 million coming his way in 2025-26. But the fact that his deal only runs for a couple more years makes it manageable. It’s not like you’re locking yourself into a long-term situation that could backfire as he ages. Instead, you’d be bringing in a proven winner for the short term to help accelerate the rebuild and push for a deep playoff run.
Overall, trading for Damian Lillard could be the kind of bold move that solidifies the Rockets as legit contenders. He’s a much more realistic option than Giannis, and the Bucks might be willing to listen if the Rockets come with a strong offer. It’s not every day you get the chance to add a player of Lillard’s caliber without blowing up your entire team. If Houston plays their cards right, Dame Time could be the next big thing in H-Town.”
There is no question that the Houston Rockets are trying to add a big-name player to the team before the 2024-2025 NBA Trade Deadline. Lillard is not the only player who Houston is trying to target. Another player that could interest the Rockets later in the season is Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Other Potential Trades
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Dec 8, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball while being defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
If the Milwaukee Bucks are just a .500 basketball team at the NBA trade deadline, Damian Lillard may not be the only player on the team who gets shopped whether it is to the Houston Rockets or another team. Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, and Pat Connaughton are three other names to watch for in a potential trade this deadline season.
If the Bucks are not going to be a contender in the East this season, they are better off trading players and acquiring assets for the future or getting younger players to help the roster. General manager Jon Horst will have a lot of decisions to make within the next couple of months.
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