Severe Rumors Surrounding Duo Being of Trade Interest to the Houston Rockets and More

Former NBA exec explains why those Suns-Rockets trade rumors might continue

Speculation about the Houston Rockets being interested in trading for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker seemed far-fetched right before the NBA Draft, but it lingers for those following the league closely.

The Suns have made it clear they’re not viewing their Big Three as lost investments at this time.

The idea of trading one of their stars now feels speculative.

However, John Hollinger’s article for The Athletic discussing the NBA’s most underrated moves this offseason suggests that we should be on the lookout for Houston’s name whenever the Suns consider reshaping their roster.

Hollinger, a former executive with the Memphis Grizzlies, highlights that the Rockets’ role as a third team in the Mikal Bridges trade from Brooklyn to New York this offseason will link Houston and Phoenix for years to come.

We won’t get into the complex pick swaps and future draft picks involved in the trade that brought Bridges to the Knicks. Just know that the Nets gave the Rockets some draft assets they received from the Suns in the Durant deal from 2023.

Hollinger suggests that the Rockets could eventually be the Suns’ solution to escape their salary cap struggles.

The Rockets initially acquired an unprotected first-round pick and an unprotected swap from Brooklyn but ended up with two unprotected firsts and two swaps from Phoenix.

What’s particularly advantageous for Houston is that, despite the Suns making a solid move this summer by acquiring Tyus Jones, they are headed towards significant trouble. This might not happen this season or even next, but it’s on the horizon. Holding late-decade Suns draft picks could be highly beneficial for the Rockets.

Offering those two picks along with other assets to acquire Devin Booker, allowing the Suns to reset in two to three years, could be a wise gamble, though much can change before that happens.

Such speculation was hinted at in rumors regarding the Rockets’ interest in both Durant and Booker this summer.

Houston has certainly signaled its intentions this offseason, indicating readiness to make a bold move towards contention, whether through a trade with the Suns or by other means.

A trade with Phoenix could become more plausible if they struggle this year. Losses like point guard Tyus Jones leaving after just one season could further impact the roster’s talent moving forward.

This offseason has shown that the Suns may have finally hit their spending limit.

On Wednesday, cutting the contracts of Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell (following the David Roddy trade) saved Phoenix around $ 40 million in tax, according to Hollinger. However, this came at the cost of not filling a 15th roster spot for now.

Hollinger calls the Suns’ Tyus Jones signing a top underrated move

According to various sources, the Suns’ signing of point guard Tyus Jones to a minimum deal in a tight market can be attributed to a combination of luck and their ability to sell him on their situation.

They compensated for the lack of financial offers with a welcoming team environment, which Jones noted was significant in his decision. Of course, the opportunity to play alongside stars like Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal also played a crucial role.

So, how much of a bargain did the Suns get in financial terms? Hollinger highlighted this when he called Jones one of the most underrated offseason acquisitions, noting that on a roster with only the injury-prone and less offensively adept Monté Morris (who was also a minimum deal) or the uncertainty of “Point Booker,” Jones was a remarkable find. Even though he was brought in late, his contributions could be vital in a competitive Western Conference, where a few wins could determine playoff positioning.

It’s true that Jones will become a free agent next summer, and the Suns will need to replace him, but for a team focused on winning now, that immediate impact is critical. Regardless of what happens in Phoenix in the coming years, their chances of success are greatly enhanced with Jones on board.

Hollinger’s BORD $metricvaluesJones’contributionsataround$ 14.2 million, while the Suns can only offer him the veteran minimum of $ 2.1 million due to salary cap constraints.

Jones just finished his best NBA season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, and shooting 49%.

It’s almost certain that he won’t return to the Suns after the 2024-25 season. This is a year for him to prove himself, but due to Phoenix’s salary cap issues, they can only give him a modest raise, which would still fall significantly short of his true market value.