The Houston Rockets, who finished second in the Western Conference last season with a 52-30 record, will be among the strongest candidates to take the Oklahoma City Thunder's top spot and make a deep postseason run.
But the Rockets' roster currently has a weakness that could make itself apparent over the course of a potential 100-plus-game season: a lack of experience. The organization has addressed that issue by trading for Kevin Durant (age 36) and re-signing Fred VanVleet (31), but a number of players expected to be key contributors in 2025-26 were born this century: Alperen Şengün (23), Amen Thompson (22), Tari Eason (24) and Reed Sheppard (21).
The Rockets, though, could look at the trade market as a means of adding another veteran with a strong postseason pedigree in New York Knicks guard Josh Hart.
Hart gives Rockets much-needed experience as Houston looks to claim NBA title
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[Fantasy Sports on SI's Dave Holcomb](https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/nba/nba-mock-trade-new-york-knicks-josh-hart-houston-rockets-tari-eason) proposed that the Rockets could acquire Hart from the Knicks in a one-for-one swap sending Eason to New York.
"The most realistic Hart trade this summer is one where the Knicks receive a younger forward with future upside. But that forward also has to possess the ability to contribute immediately. Meanwhile, the acquiring team for Hart has to value his experience and leadership over the upside they are losing in the other forward," Holcomb wrote. "The Rockets potentially fit that description."
Although such a deal would force the Rockets to move one from a talented prospect — and the Knicks to deal away a player that helped them get within one game of the NBA Finals — there are reasons it could work out for both parties, according to Holcomb.
"If the Knicks want to make another major shakeup, then he's the most logical option to deal this summer. Moving Hart for Eason gives the Knicks more youth and size," Holcomb wrote.
"Houston finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season. Then, they took the Golden State Warriors to Game 7 in the first round. The Rockets lost that game, proving that maybe more experience and leadership is what they need to take the next step in 2025-26. Hart could provide that while potentially improving the team's defense and rebounding."
The likelihood of the Rockets or Knicks parting ways with Eason or Hart, respectively, is very low, but it will be interesting to see whether either team makes a move before the regular season begins on Oct. 21.