The Brooklyn Nets were very busy on Tuesday night – and the Houston Rockets looked very busy.
First, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Brooklyn sent star forward Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for picks.
Read more: Knicks Acquire Stars From Nets for Massive Haul Draft Picks
Then, Wojnarowski reported Brooklyn made a second trade, this one with the Rockets. Here are all the details (warning: confusing):
Brooklyn reacquired a 2026 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets that was originally moved in a trade involving James Harden. In return, Houston received the Phoenix Suns’ 2027 first-round pick and the right to trade Houston’s or Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 first-round pick for the Suns’ 2025 first-round pick. They also received the preferred 2029 first-round pick between the Dallas Mavericks and Suns, and had the right to trade a first-round pick for a lower pick than Dallas and Phoenix. Houston also gave up the right to trade a first-round pick with Brooklyn for a 2025 first-round pick.
So, what does all this mean?
As for the Nets, they now control their own first-round picks in 2025 and 2026 as they enter a rebuild with the loss of Bridges and a slew of picks.
For the Rockets, this means the beginning of what should be a very important offseason.
After the trade, Wojnarowski reported the Rockets will look to trade superstars this offseason, starting with Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant.
“Implications of the Rockets choosing the Suns bankruptcy? Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant and that becomes far easier if they can go back to get the Suns’ that they gave up on the Durant deal for the Nets,” Wojnarowski wrote. “The Suns have said they are keeping Durant now, but that could change next season. But now, Houston has the option to make the Suns again.”
Wojnarowski then mentioned a different trade scenario involving the Suns and Rockets.
“The Rockets have a swap pick with the Suns in 2025, a Suns pick in 2027 and possibly a Suns pick in 2029 based on contingencies,” Wojnarowski wrote. “If the Suns are ever faced with breaking up the team, Houston is also in a prime position to pursue the young Devin Booker. Now, Phoenix is ​​trying to win.”
With the Suns trying to win, Houston might not wait. Either way, Wojnarowski says he will be very aggressive in adding superstars this season.
“As the Rockets are interested in Durant, they have decided to use the Suns’ option to be aggressive in a deal elsewhere today, a source told ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote. “Phoenix has made it clear that they want to reopen with this group, and Houston is looking for a major upgrade right now.”
So, Houston will obviously be in the hunt for a star this season, whether it’s with the Suns or another team. Bridges is one player on the Rockets’ radar, but is now in New York.
There are still plenty of superstars available for trade this offseason, including Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, former Rocket and current Clipper James Harden, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young, and potentially Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
George will likely be the best fit of the bunch as a 3-and-D wing who can fit in perfectly with the backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. However, it remains to be seen what happens with his future in Los Angeles, or potential interest from teams like the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, the Rockets are in prime position to add a superstar to a team that showed great promise last season. The Rockets went 41-41, falling just short of the No. 10 seed and a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
However, it should only improve in 2024-25, and now it will add a true superstar to the mix. Houston also has the No. 1 pick.
Read more: NBA Draft: How to Watch, New Schedule, Top Players and More
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for a common field.