Houston has officially taken flight, sitting at third in the Western Conference after a 32-18 start to the season. The team is rolling under second-year head coach Ime Udoka. The emergence of the Rockets at the top of the league has not only been shocking, but sooner than expected.
Prior to Udoka, the team won 17, 20, and 22 games in three seasons under Stephen Silas after replacing Mike D'Antoni (who never missed the playoffs). Houston's sudden rise leaves questions about their future.
The team appeared ready to rebuild around top four picks Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, as well as fellow first rounders Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, and Tari Eason.
However, an aggressive free agency before Udoka's first season brought in veterans Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green. The team added Steven Adams before this season, building frontcourt depth behind Sengun. Even with the record, the Rockets lack stardom.
'United we stand, together we fall' mentality for Houston's current roster
Houston's unique, defensive-first play style poses a challenge to every team in the league. The Rockets depth and versatility allows Udoka to run a lengthy variation of lineups. No matter the lineup, Houston has established roles, and the players have bought in to a team-first philosophy.
VanVleet and Sengun are relied upon as playmakers, while Jalen Green is Houston's primary scorer. Meanwhile, the Rockets have surrounded those players with shooting, defense, length, and versatility.
The Rockets aren't flashy by any means. Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson represent the team's heart and soul with their energy, defense, and effort. Brooks' shooting, Thompson's facilitating, and Eason's rebounding present different looks for opponents that Houston can use with different lineups.
Cam Whitmore has shown the ability to be a high-level two-way player, while Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith both play as floor spacers for Houston at their positions. Even with the Rockets team, defense-first, winning mentality, they lack in one crucial area where most championship-winning teams thrive.
If Houston plans on capitalizing on their championship window with aspirations for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, acquiring a superstar is a pivotal next step for their franchise's aspirations. The team has been linked to several superstars since the summer, with more rumors unfolding throughout the season.
As the trade deadline rapidly approaches its end, a few of Houston's rumored targets have already found new homes (Jimmy Butler and De'Aaron Fox). However, a few targets remain that could evolve Houston into a legitimate championship contender this season and beyond. Below, is an assessment of those trade targets for the Rockets.