The Houston Rockets are the talk of the NBA after swinging a trade for Kevin Durant, re-signing Fred VanVleet, locking up Jabari Smith Jr. to a long-term deal, and then being one of the biggest winners of the opening night of free agency.
Even with all the great work by Rafael Stone, the Rockets have more to accomplish this offseason, and the best way for them to do that is going to come via a trade. There are different avenues Houston can take to do this, but moving one player in particular seems to be the best route for Stone and the Rockets to take.
Rockets Should Trade Cam Whitmore to Complete Perfect Offseason
Of all the assets remaining at Houston's disposal, the most valuable could very well be recent first-round pick Cam Whitmore. Whitmore's availability has been a hot topic across the league as several franchises appear interested in acquiring the former Villanova Wildcats standout.
Giving up a player of the caliber of Whitmore is always a tough call to make. Houston must remember, though, that the forward fell into their lap with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after slipping out of the top 10 and lottery altogether. With the bodies in front of him on the depth chart, the best thing Whitmore can do to contribute to whatever success the Rockets enjoy this season is to be traded elsewhere.
If there is a trade out there that would bring in a proven shooter, or even a starting-level shooting guard, then Houston should entertain those talks. This Rockets team is all-in on winning now, as evidenced by the move to break up some of their young core to acquire Durant, and they need to treat every move they make to the roster in that same light.
There is no point in going halfway in this pursuit, given the moves that have already been made. Whitmore could wind up being a star somewhere else, but at this moment, he would be a valuable asset left to squander on the bench in Houston if they don't trade him before the 2025-26 campaign tips off.