NBA Offseason Heats Up: Nets-Rockets Swap Draft Picks, Rockets Eyeing Superstars

The NBA offseason is in full swing, with a flurry of trades and rumors making headlines. The Brooklyn Nets have been at the center of the action, pulling off a blockbuster deal with the New York Knicks for star forward Mikal Bridges and completing a separate trade involving draft picks with the Houston Rockets.

The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks shook up the NBA landscape on Thursday with a stunning trade that sent two-way forward Mikal Bridges to the Big Apple. Within minutes of that deal being announced, the Nets completed another trade, this time involving several draft picks with the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN.

The Rockets acquired a 2027 first-round pick from the Nets (originally acquired by Brooklyn from Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade) in exchange for Brooklyn's original 2026 pick. Houston also secured the right to swap the team's 2025 first-rounder (from Oklahoma City) for a 2025 Suns first-rounder.

In addition, the Rockets acquired swap rights to a 2029 first-round pick from either Dallas or Phoenix, as well as the best pick from one of those teams the same year, depending on their final standings.

Sources told ESPN that the Rockets made the trade with the pursuit of several top stars in mind, including Durant himself. However, Suns owner Mat Ishbia quickly poured cold water on that possibility in a social media post on Wednesday.

Houston is reportedly willing to offer a massive haul of picks, including some of those they just acquired from Brooklyn, to Phoenix in exchange for the 35-year-old superstar. However, Phoenix has remained steadfast in its stance that Durant is not available, expressing its intent to build around the trio of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal next season.

Despite the setback, the Rockets may have a package that is too good for Phoenix to ignore. If the Suns continue to resist, it appears Houston will remain on the hunt for a superstar to bolster their roster and accelerate their rebuild.

The Nets-Rockets trade is a significant development in the NBA offseason, as it adds to the growing number of teams positioning themselves for the future. With the draft lottery taking place on May 16 and free agency set to tip off in July, the league landscape is poised for further change in the coming weeks.