Report: Rockets among “most aggressive” in Damian Lillard pursuit

The Houston Rockets have their eyes set on touchdown their fourth star guard in three seasons.

In accordance the Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, “a number of front-office sources” point out that Houston is among the many 5 most “aggressive suitors” making an attempt to land guard Damian Lillard.

The 2021 All-NBA Second Staff guard was the middle of commerce rumors final week when experiences circulated that Lillard meant to request the Portland Trail Blazers transfer him. Lillard shut down rumors later that day saying that “It’s not true.”

However, as all issues go within the NBA, the place’s there’s smoke, there’s fireplace. Lillard additionally clarified that he “[hasn’t] made any agency selections on what [his] future shall be.” Enter vultures.

Houston may very well be a direct beneficiary of a famous person like Lillard that doesn’t have a commerce clause. Whereas disgruntled superstars like Lillard need to go solely to groups one piece away from contending, after they don’t have a commerce clause, groups can ship them to the place the franchise will profit probably the most. The Rockets are solely one in every of two lottery groups reportedly desirous about No. 0 — the opposite being the Sacramento Kings.

The Rockets have the No. 2 choose, and the Kings have the No. 9 choose. Benefit: Houston.

Houston additionally has a big haul of draft picks to offer away after they commerce James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. And provided that Lillard has a whopping 4 years left on his contract, they’ll be in search of a king’s ransom — one which leaves Houston among the many few groups that would really ship that.

Underneath Daryl Morey, the Rockets had a ton of success touchdown famous person guards up to now couple of years, buying Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook from the franchises that made them. Lillard could be no completely different of a problem.

With Rafael Stone on the helm, the now second-year GM can add to an excellent rookie stint after efficiently signing Christian Wooden, buying Jae’Sean Tate, buying and selling James Harden, and touchdown the No. 2 general choose.