The Houston Rockets are looking like one of the best teams in the Western Conference and certainly in the league to start the season.
That was the expectation prior to the start of the season, and that is undoubtedly the case as we approach the one-month mark. The Rockets have huge expectations this season, especially after they acquired future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant this past summer.
Houston has a chance to win their first title of this century and their first since the 1994-95 season. They have a long way to go in that department, as they may need to make a roster tweak to get over the hump. As things stand, the Rockets are slim at their guard position.
Losing veteran guard Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL was far from ideal, so the expectation is that they need to make an upgrade at that position. Houston has time to do just that, and a name they could be in line for is Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves.
According to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Rockets could be a potential trade partner for the former undrafted guard.
“Fred VanVleet’s ACL injury has left the Houston Rockets without a proven primary ball-handler who’s also a floor-spacing threat. And barring a sudden breakout from sophomore Reed Sheppard, the answer doesn’t appear to be in-house.
“Houston might be reluctant to part with more assets after acquiring Kevin Durant. Then again, trading for-and extending-a 37-year-old star demands you operate with immediate urgency.
“The Rockets have all sorts of goodies to include if they make a run at Reaves. Short of Durant, Thompson and Alperen Şengün, there may not be anyone who’s off the table. Jabari Smith Jr. could prove to be an exception, since he just signed an extension and is subject to the poison pill provision. But that merely makes a trade harder-not impossible.
“At any rate, Houston has other assets that would interest L.A., including Tari Eason and nine incoming first-round picks. Any deal may need to be expanded to include more players and teams, but the Rockets and Lakers have the supplemental mid-end salaries to figure out something-so long as L.A. is enamored with more of a draft-pick-centric return.”
Reaves is on pace to have one of the best seasons of his career. He’s gotten better and better from his rookie year to now, and the numbers alone dictate that.
Through 10 games this season, Reaves is averaging 28.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds and 8.2 assists, all of which are career-highs thus far.
The 27-year-old is in line to receive a massive payday in the summer of 2026. It’s unclear if the Rockets would want to pay the piper, and if not, they’ll need to possibly give up a ton to LA to snag Reaves in a trade.
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