Amid rumors of an NBA trade, the Rockets could be targeting a high-risk All-Star worth $197 million

At the end of the 2022/23 NBA season, the Houston Rockets had the worst record in the Western Conference at 22-60, tied with the San Antonio Spurs. Last season, Houston won 19 more games and was in the playoff hunt deep into the season. Given their promising young core, the Rockets are expected to be a strong force in the coming years.

However, they lack a real superstar centerpiece. Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün have shown great role models, but neither is the type of player a championship favorite can build on. The Rockets have been linked to many stars, including Brandon Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Trae Young and even Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a trade for Zion Williamson would be the ideal home run for Houston.

Houston's average age is 26.2 and they could get younger (and better) with the addition of Williamson. The Rockets were linked to the superstar at the end of last season, with Sam Amick reporting for The Athletic that Williamson was on the radar. Since then, the Pelicans traded for Dejounte Murray, signaling that they would rather be a buyer than a seller. However, that hasn't stopped Houston from showing interest, as a recent report claims they are heavily in the market.

“The Rockets’ recent decision to extend Green’s contract for three years and a total of $106 million does not change their well-publicized aspirations to move up in the franchise centerpiece department,” Amick wrote on November 1.

The Rockets can match Williamson's $197 million contract by sending Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams, but the Pelicans would certainly demand draft picks and young talent since a trade like this would mean an unexpected rebuild. Houston has up to 10 first-round picks to trade and could include third-round pick Reed Sheppard or Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore in the deal to sweeten the pot, which would be helpful.

While Houston may target a more realistic candidate on the trade market, Williamson remains a best-case scenario despite his lengthy injury history.

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