If the Houston Rockets are surprisingly eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the NBA playoffs, a new report suggests young star Alpern Sengun will be added to the trade package in a blockbuster deal this summer.
Entering the 2025–26 season, the Rockets were viewed as a real threat to the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and with good reason. A year ago, they took a huge leap under head coach Ime Udoka as their young core showed real promise and they had an elite defense. Adding future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to the mix seemed like a championship recipe.
However, as the year progressed, the Rockets failed to live up to expectations and questions of poor chemistry have emerged over the past few months. To open the playoffs, it looked like they had a matchup against a Lakers team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Nevertheless, they enter Game 3 of the series losing 2–0.
If they get eliminated in the first round again this year, there will definitely be roster changes. It would be wise to move on from Durant before he turns 38 in September. It seems like the experiment failed. However, according to William Guillory of The Athletic, there is a real possibility that Alpern Sengun could be used in a blockbuster trade for a top star to pair with Durant next season.
Could the Houston Rockets target Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell this summer?
This is due to their up-and-down play in the second half of the season, and non-existent play in the first two games of their series against the Lakers. After acquiring Durant from rising star Jalen Green last year, Guillory suggests they could do the same again with the two-time All-Star this summer. His inclusion in any trade package would make him a favorite for any superstar on the trade block in the offseason.
Guillory wrote, "Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a name that has been linked to Houston as a potential superstar who could be acquired in a Sengun trade." "Kawhi Leonard or Donovan Mitchell could also be possibilities. If Houston makes Sengun available with some future draft picks, it would put them among the favorites to acquire any undrafted superstars who may become available."
Trading Antetokounmpo will be a top story this summer after the Milwaukee Bucks heard offers before the deadline. Reports surfaced last week that if Mitchell does not sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the season, he could also be placed on the trade block. Leonard should also be available as the Clippers look to rebuild quickly over the next two years.
