The Houston Rockets could already be viewed as the outright winner in the early stages of the 2025 NBA offseason.
Following their blockbuster trade acquisition of Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns, the Rockets have continued to build a true juggernaut in the Western Conference by adding the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks as crucial free agent additions.
With Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun preparing to lead a competitive Houston squad into battle when the 2025-26 campaign kicks off, the franchise still has an opportunity to bring in another superstar talent at a premium price.
In fact, recent reports have indicated that the Rockets’ front office could look to pair Durant with another all-time great scorer by pursuing 9-time All-Star and NBA 75th Anniversary Team member, Damian Lillard.
“As Lillard enters this final phase of his career, it’s safe to assuming that pursuing a championship will be his main priority,” Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells wrote Tuesday.
“There aren’t many landing spots that could offer him a chance to do that next season than the Rockets.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“Head coach Ime Udoka can put Lillard out there for 8-10 minutes and let him find open shots on the floor when opposing defenses focus their attention on Durant.”
“If Lillard is able to return for the playoffs next season, this might be the best possible situation he could find for himself as he pursues a title.”
Though Lillard will likely miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles, the Rockets have a chance to add one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen at the point guard position.
The 34-year-old guard and 7-time All-NBA Team selection was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday to allow the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner to join the team on a 4-year, $107 million contract. Lillard now reserves the right to choose his next destination as an unrestricted free agent, and the Rockets look to be a plausible destination.
In 58 regular-season contests for the Bucks in 2024-25, Lillard contributed 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds on a 62.1% true shooting percentage, earning an All-Star nod.
For a team desperately needing offensive production and go-to shot-creation, Lillard could pair with Durant to create a deadly scoring tandem in 2026-27.
More NBA: Lakers could land recently-waived $113 million ex-Bucks star point guard to complement Luka
