The Houston Rockets have shown flashes to start the season, but one weakness has been hard to miss. They could really use a point guard.
That doesn’t mean the Rockets don’t have players who can handle the position. What they don’t have is a proven one. And of course, it’s still very early in the season. This isn’t some panic-button situation or a mess that sinks the season. But ever since Fred VanVleet went down, it’s been obvious that Houston is light in that spot.
Names are already floating around. Russell Westbrook is off the board with Sacramento. Ben Simmons is still sitting out there. And then there’s Trae Young.
Trae hasn’t really been on the block, and Atlanta did their part this summer to keep him engaged in the East. Still, speculation continues over how long he’ll stay in Atlanta and whether he might ultimately be better off on another team.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has already fueled that discussion, drawing up Houston as a possible landing spot for the Atlanta Hawks point guard in a deal built around Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, VanVleet, and draft picks.
It’s fair to question if this is sustainable, however, as there’s a lack of playmaking and shooting with both Amen Thompson and Steven Adams on the floor together.
The Rockets would become an unstoppable force if Trae Young were to join a starting five of Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün. Houston could put together an enticing package with Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Fred VanVleet and draft picks.
Young is the ultimate table setter in the NBA who spaces the floor well beyond the three-point line. Adding Durant means it’s title-or-bust for Houston, with a pure point guard like Young pushing them to the top of the West.
