The Houston Rockets are hanging on by a thread in the playoffs. They currently sit with a 3-2 deficit to the Los Angeles Lakers. Winning on Wednesday night extended their season for at least one more game, but things don’t look good.
When the offseason does find the Rockets, things could change. They could be in for a roster overhaul after regressing from last season. They were the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs a year ago. This year, they have struggled to find the same success.
Bleacher Report believes that they could land superstar guard Donovan Mitchell in the offseason in a blockbuster trade.
GettyCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell shoots the ball. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Rockets Predicted to Land Donovan Mitchell in Offseason Trade
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes the Cavaliers will send Mitchell to Houston in the offseason.
“All teams in need of more perimeter punch will keep a close watch on these proceedings. The Rockets just happen to have the kind of trade chips needed to get a megadeal done—and they might need a net-shredder more than anyone. They’ve made a mess of the offensive end this postseason, just like they did during their abbreviated 2025 playoff run,” Buckley writes.
Mitchell has just one year left on his deal. He will be searching for a contract extension this summer. If Cleveland crashes and burns in the first or second round of the playoffs, the entire team could be in for a roster overhaul. That could be to Houston’s advantage.
The same could be said for the Rockets. If they can’t come back to beat the Lakers, everyone on the roster is at risk of being moved. They made a bold trade for Kevin Durant in the offseason, so they aren’t afraid to make big trades. Bringing in Mitchell would help them in the backcourt.
GettyHouston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet shoots the ball. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Houston needs to Figure Out its Guard Problem
The injury to Fred VanVleet before the season hurt them all year long. Without him on the court, the Rockets failed to have a guard whom they could trust to run the offense. That resulted in a clunky offense, including in the playoffs. They have the ninth-best offense of the playoff teams.
Getting VanVleet back for next season would help that, but adding a dynamic scorer like Mitchell would give them a player who can score in isolation. Mitchell can create his own shot, something that only Durant can do with regularity at the moment.
Trading for an elite guard will not be cheap for Houston. They will have to give up a high cost, both in terms of players and in draft capital. If they do decide to make a move for a superstar player, they will likely try to see what the price for Giannis Antetokounmpo would be, as well.
The Rockets have the fourth-most expensive team in the NBA, so they have reduce costs in order to stay away from the second apron.
Houston Rockets Predicted to Land Superstar Guard in Offseason Trade