Rockets Switched To Rookie Extensions When Donovan Mitchell, Derrick White Extended

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Houston Rockets had a plan to be a player with cap space in the summer of 2025. When guard Donovan Mitchell and Derrick White signed extensions with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics respectively, the Rockets changed gears. Mitchell and White are favorites of Houston head coach Ime Udoka and the team could have pursued either player in 2025 free agency.

With the veteran guards off the board, Houston decided to extend Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun on rookie scale extensions instead of creating cap space next offseason. Now, the Rockets GM Rafael Stone may use Green, who will make just over $33 million in Year 1 of his extension (with a 10% trade bonus), as a trade piece next offseason.

Houston was linked to Kevin Durant last summer, and acquired some of the Phoenix Suns own draft picks in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The Rockets could use those picks, Green and other players in an offer for Durant, should the veteran superstar become available.

Via Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst/ESPN

[niha17]

neither would go to the rockets

[TheCage4]

It's such a flawed plan to make moves to acquire Kevin Durant. If not for his Warriors teammates, he would have 0 championships, and he is certainly not bringing one to Houston.

[FeatheryTouch]

Yeah Durant to Houston seems like a non-starter given his age and the team's timeline, but the Rockets have done a good job stockpiling young talent and have the assets to make a consolidation trade if a young or mid-career star becomes available.

[haste10176]

It's such a flawed plan to make moves to acquire Kevin Durant. If not for his Warriors teammates, he would have 0 championships, and he is certainly not bringing one to Houston.

GSW were the most stacked team ever however Durant won the two finals mvps and in okc had the stone around his neck of westbrick and in brooklyn if his team were healthy with harden and kyrie they win i mean they lost by a toe with kyrie injured and harden hobbled.. but kd is too old for the rockets on that we agree.

[Gurton Buster]

It's such a flawed plan to make moves to acquire Kevin Durant. If not for his Warriors teammates, he would have 0 championships, and he is certainly not bringing one to Houston.

GSW were the most stacked team ever however Durant won the two finals mvps and in okc had the stone around his neck of westbrick and in brooklyn if his team were healthy with harden and kyrie they win i mean they lost by a toe with kyrie injured and harden hobbled.. but kd is too old for the rockets on that we agree.

KD won the fmvp because he was the second option and it’s always easier for the second option to get fmvp because the opponent is scheming and putting the most attention for the first option. Especially in the dinals. Thats why winning fmvp =/= being the best player, the same thing showed itself this year between Tatum and Brown.

[El Hespiritu]

Mmmh...

What if current roster happens to eventually prove they are competitive enough?
Will they dismember it the same to bring some maximum salary player the same?

Meaning...

Is it a carved at stone plan?