Rockets new trends: Taking Durant or Antetokounmpo? Jaylen Green is recognized, Adams is robbed

June 4th, the NBA Finals are about to be staged, and the Thunder and Pacers are ready to compete for the highest glory. For teams that have been eliminated, how to strengthen is their number one problem. Just today, the Knicks fired their coach Thibodeau, which became the biggest news today. The Houston Rockets are also planning for the next season in an orderly manner. Let's pay attention to their trading rumors:

1. About Durant

According to The Athletic reporter Kelly Iko, the Suns have lowered the asking price of Suns player Kevin Durant, and they hope to regain control of the 10th pick in the first round of this year. The Rockets have received multiple calls from the Suns, which are gradually lowering the asking price for Kevin Durant. As a legendary superstar at the historical level, Kevin Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game this season, but his age at 36 and frequent injury history make his future vague. After all, if you want to trade, he will inevitably send potential stars. For example, the Rockets, Jaylen Green, Jabarry Smith, Shin Kyung, and Ethan may inevitably send at least two players, which is not worth the loss. Although Durant himself remains interested in joining the Rockets, it may be difficult to do so.

2. About Antetokounmpo

also the Athletic reporter Kelly Iko reported that Milwaukee Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the trading target of the Houston Rockets. Antetokounmpo reportedly is open to leaving the Bucks in the offseason, but the superstar has yet to file a deal request. The Bucks signed an three-year, $175 million contract extension with Antetokounmpo in October 2023. Antetokounmpo has won the MVP twice, FMVP once, Defensive Player of the Year once, and was selected as the All-Star nine times. He spent his entire career with the Bucks. For him, it is obvious that if the Bucks can maintain competitiveness, staying in Milwaukee is still the number one choice, but now the Bucks are already a stagnant pool after Lillard is seriously injured, while the Rockets have a promising future. Even if it is to send 2-3 potential new stars for Antetokounmpo, it is completely worth it. Of course, the risks are not completely gone. After all, Antetokounmpo and Amen play at the same time. With Shen Jing, the space on the field is worrying, and retaining Xiao Jia and Jaylen Green will be the primary goal of the transaction.

3. About Whitmore

Whitmore is undoubtedly the Rockets' most frustrated player this season. This season's regular season, Cam Whitmore averaged 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals per game. From rotation to abandonment, there have been many locker room crises, but many teams have also paid attention to his talent. According to The Athletic reporter Kelly Iko, Rockets player Cam Whitmore has attracted interest in the trading market. Several teams have asked about the possibility of a trade to get a short-term forward player Cam Whitmore. Because Cam Whitmore has performed well in the past two seasons, the outside world is still optimistic about Cam Whitmore's potential and believes it can enter the rotation. But so far, neither Cam Whitmore nor his team have applied for a deal. Cam Whitmore and the Rockets still hope to find a solution to the problem and hope to find their own position with the Rockets.

4. Regarding Jabarry Smith and Ethan

22 double stars, it is time to renew their contracts in advance. According to reporter Kelly Iko, the Rockets are expected to discuss early contract renewal with Jabarry Smith and Tari Ethan during the offseason this year. Sources revealed that if no agreement is reached, the Rockets are also comfortable with the invitation offer to match other teams next summer. Xiao Jia lost the starting position after being injured and his status in the team continues to decline. As a Tanhua show, his talent is widely recognized, but his ability to confront and hold the ball has never reached the star level, resulting in his character being marginalized and he can only explore in the 3D direction. This season, this season's regular season averages 12.2 points, 7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and a three-point shooting percentage of 35.4%, which did not meet expectations. Ethan was affected by injury and his attendance was worrying, resulting in his value decline. Although he could average 12 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 breaks and 0.9 caps per game this season, his offensive choice made it difficult for Uduka to fully believe him. The actual value of both of them may be between 20-30 million US dollars, but it is not ruled out that the team intercepted the talent. If that happens, the Rockets would fall into a passive position.

5. Regarding Shepard

For Shepard this season, she was undoubtedly a failure in the first year of the Rockets. She averaged 4.4 points, 1.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game in the regular season. She was also inaccurate in three-pointers and lost points when she came on the court. She could not find the team position at all. However, according to reporter Kelly Iko, it is expected that Reed Shepard will play a bigger role in the Rockets next season. The team is still very optimistic about Shepard. They believe that Shepard's ability to open up space can help the team in the short term, and in the long run, his upper limit is very high.

6. Regarding the inside candidate

Rockets relied on Adams' comeback last season, but his contract has expired. Faced with the issue of renewal, the Rockets' management cannot guarantee that he can stay with him when he is shining in the playoffs. Adams also attracted the attention of playoff teams: he will be the ideal reinforcement target for the Spurs, the Knicks, Pacers, and the Lakers, Clippers and other teams. According to The Athletic reporter Kelly Iko, if the Rockets cannot sign Adams again, they may pursue Lopez. This season's regular season, Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 50.9%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.3%. His space ability is what the Rockets lack..

7. Regarding Jaylen Green

Jaylen Green was given high expectations, but he performed poorly in the playoffs and was pushed to the forefront. Team reporter Kelly Iko wrote an article saying that Jaylen Green is the most important thing within the Rockets. Green's poor performance in the series against the Warriors was seen as an opportunity for the team to improve in key aspects, and the team valued his performance in 82 games in the regular season rather than a series against the Warriors. Apart from Green, sources revealed that the Rockets have a strong desire to leave all the young core members in the team. This season, Green played all 82 games in the regular season, and averaged 32.8 minutes per game to score the highest 21.0 points plus 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game. The shooting percentage of the three events was 42.3%, 35.4%, and 81.3% respectively. Green played 7 games against the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, averaging 31.3 minutes per game, scoring 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists, shooting percentage of 37.2%, three-point shooting percentage of 29.5%, and free throw shooting percentage of 66.7%.

Okay, this is some rumors last night. For us Rockets fans, the long offseason is undoubtedly difficult. I will accompany you to continue to pay attention to the reinforcement news and look forward to the Rockets' transformation next season.