Which Superstar Should Be at The Top of the Houston Rockets' Wishlist?
· Yahoo Sports
The easy answer is Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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If the Rockets were building a wishlist of stars to chase, most fans would probably stop right there. Let’s take a moment here to pause and talk about which superstars actually fit what Houston has already built.
At the top of my list is Jaylen Brown.
Brown is coming off a season averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists while bringing the kind of two-way versatility every contender wants, or needs, rather. He makes the most sense to me because his game doesn’t require Houston to reinvent itself.
In a perfect world, Brown gets to be exactly what he’s always been: a two-way star who can take over when needed without forcing everyone else to take a step back. Brown can defend elite wings, score without dominating the ball and slide seamlessly next to Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun.
If we’re still talking in fantasy land terms, Giannis Antetokounmpo lands second. The production is undeniable (27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists), but acquiring him would force Houston into difficult roster decisions, likely sacrificing a good chunk of the young talent they’ve spent so much time and energy developing and several future picks, if I had to guess. At the very least, his presence on the court with any combination of them would create new questions about spacing.
Donovan Mitchell rounds out the top three and looks like the whole answer if Houston’s biggest concern is playoff offense. His shot creation alone would immediately help the Rockets, especially in late-game situations. Mitchell is an elite shooter who averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists this season and has spent years making difficult shots look like light work.
Houston already addressed some of that problem by bringing in Kevin Durant, which is why Mitchell lands third here. If the goal is finding the cleanest fit, Brown gets the nod. If adding somebody to save a possession that should've ended three seconds ago is first priority, Mitchell has a real case for No. 1.
My hesitation on this one is Mitchell’s heroball tendencies. There are only so many late-game possessions to go around, and Kevin Durant is still Kevin Durant. As for Giannis, the fit is debatable, but pairing two former MVP-caliber players in Durant and Antetokounmpo would give Houston one of the most terrifying ceilings in basketball overnight.
There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big after a disappointing playoff exit. But if Houston gets one shot at adding another superstar, Jaylen Brown is the best option. Hands down.