The Houston Rockets are a team to watch this offseason as a plethora of big names are expected to become available, particularly on the trade market. They desperately need improvement after year one of the Kevin Durant experiment was a disappointment.
The 37-year-old star was Houston’s only efficient means of scoring, as the absence of a true point guard created a lack of three-point shooting and an influx of turnovers. But Fred VanVleet’s return from injury isn’t going to be the only thing that saves the Rockets.
They need a better distribution of gravity on offense. Durant hogged so much attention because Houston’s young core couldn’t create as much with the ball in its hands. If GM Rafael Stone can double down on the win-now mindset and pair Durant with another star scorer, the scoring will be a big problem for the league next season.
Luckily, one name in particular is expected to be available: Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard will be the subject of intense trade speculation with the LA Clippers inching toward a full-scale rebuild. They already moved James Harden and Ivica Zubac to get youth and draft capital, and should do the same with “The Klaw.”
The Rockets can swoop in and legitimately satisfy the Clippers with pieces of their young core. Houston doesn’t have to sell all of its developing players, but a few names could make this a win-win trade for everyone.
Let’s break down the proposed deal, the risks, the rewards, and whether the Rockets should mortgage their future for a 34-year-old superstar with a troubling injury history.
The Proposed Trade: What Houston Would Give Up
Let’s start with the specifics of the mock deal.
Houston Rockets receive:
Kawhi Leonard
Isaiah Jackson
LA Clippers receive:
Alperen Şengün
Reed Sheppard
Dorian Finney-Smith
2027 first-round pick (via PHX)
2027 second-round pick (via MEM)
2028 second-round pick
This is a significant haul for the Clippers. They get a young, franchise-caliber center in Şengün, a promising young guard in Sheppard, a veteran wing in Finney-Smith, and valuable draft capital.
For the Rockets, the price is steep. Şengün is the future of their frontcourt. Sheppard is a key piece of their young core. Those draft picks could be used to add more talent.
But the Rockets would be getting Kawhi Leonard – a two-time Finals MVP, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and one of the best two-way players in NBA history.
When healthy.
The Kawhi Reality: A Superstar Who Can’t Stay on the Court
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Kawhi Leonard is 34 years old. He has one more year left on his contract. He has a long and troubling history of injuries.
In the last four seasons, Leonard has played:
2022-23: 52 games
2023-24: 68 games
2024-25: 45 games
2025-26: 52 games
That’s an average of 54 games per season. He’s missed significant time every single year. His body is breaking down.
The Clippers are inching toward a full-scale rebuild. They already moved James Harden and Ivica Zubac. They know that Leonard isn’t going to lead them to a championship. They’re ready to move on.
The Rockets would be taking a massive risk by acquiring Leonard. If he gets hurt – and history suggests he will – they would have traded away their future for a player who can’t stay on the court.
The Şengün Factor: Why Trading Him Is Painful
Let’s talk about what the Rockets would be giving up.
Alperen Şengün is 23 years old. He just signed a long-term contract. He averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds last season. He’s a skilled post player with elite passing vision.
He is the future of the Rockets’ frontcourt. He’s the kind of player you build around for the next decade.
Trading him for a 34-year-old Kawhi Leonard would be a massive gamble. It would be betting that Leonard can stay healthy and lead the Rockets to a championship in the next year or two.
If it works, the Rockets win. If it doesn’t, they’re left with nothing.
The Sheppard Factor: A Promising Young Guard
Let’s not forget about Reed Sheppard.
Sheppard was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft. He’s a 22-year-old guard with shooting, playmaking, and defensive potential. He’s still developing, but the tools are there.
The Rockets believe Sheppard can be their point guard of the future. Trading him would be another painful loss.
But the Rockets have other young guards. Amen Thompson is a athletic freak. They could build around him instead.
The Win-Now Urgency: Durant’s Window Is Closing
Let’s look at the bigger picture.
Kevin Durant is 37. He’s not getting younger. He has maybe two or three elite years left. The Rockets’ championship window is tied to his timeline.
If the Rockets want to win with Durant, they need to act now. They can’t wait for Şengün and Sheppard to develop. They need proven talent.
Kawhi Leonard is proven talent. When healthy, he’s a top-10 player. He’s a lockdown defender. He’s a playoff riser. He’s exactly the kind of player who could help Durant win a championship.
The question is whether the risk is worth the reward.
The Clippers’ Perspective: Why LA Would Say Yes
Let’s flip the script.
The Clippers are rebuilding. They’ve already moved Harden and Zubac. They have no reason to keep Leonard. He’s 34. He’s injury-prone. He’s not going to lead them to a championship.
By trading Leonard, the Clippers can get a massive haul. Şengün is a franchise cornerstone. Sheppard is a promising young guard. The draft picks add more assets.
This trade would accelerate the Clippers’ rebuild. They would have a young core of Şengün, Darius Garland, and whoever they draft with their picks. That’s a bright future.
For the Clippers, this trade is a no-brainer.
The Risk: What If Kawhi Gets Hurt?
Let’s be honest.
Kawhi Leonard has a history of knee problems. He’s missed significant time in almost every season of his career. The Clippers have load-managed him for years, and he still can’t stay healthy.
If the Rockets trade for Leonard and he gets hurt, they’re in trouble. They would have given up Şengün, Sheppard, and draft picks for a player who can’t play.
That’s a nightmare scenario. And it’s a realistic one.
The Reward: What If Kawhi Stays Healthy?
Let’s imagine the best-case scenario.
Kawhi Leonard stays healthy. He plays 70 games. He’s the same two-way superstar who led the Raptors to a championship in 2019.
A core of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Fred VanVleet (returning from injury) is terrifying. That’s three players who can create their own shot. That’s three players who can defend. That’s three players who have won championships.
The Rockets would be the favorites in the Western Conference. They would have a legitimate chance to win the NBA Finals.
That’s the reward. That’s why the Rockets might take the risk.
The Jackson Sweetener: A Developing Big Man
Let’s not forget about Isaiah Jackson.
Jackson is a 24-year-old big man who can protect the rim and rebound. He’s not a star, but he’s a solid rotation player.
In this trade, Jackson would give the Rockets some frontcourt depth behind Steven Adams and Clint Capela. He’s a nice sweetener, but he’s not the reason you make this trade.
What the Rockets Should Do
Let’s put ourselves in Rafael Stone’s shoes.
Option 1: Keep Şengün and Sheppard. Develop the young core. Let Durant play out his contract. Hope that Fred VanVleet’s return fixes the offense. Stay competitive but not elite.
Option 2: Trade for Kawhi Leonard. Go all-in on the next two years. Pair Durant with another superstar. Risk the future for a chance to win now.
Dec 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) turns the ball over as Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals during the third quarter at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Option 1 is safe. It preserves the future. It allows the Rockets to build around Şengün for the next decade.
Option 2 is risky. It could lead to a championship. It could also lead to disaster.
The Rockets have to decide which path to take.
The Houston Rockets are at a crossroads. They have a 37-year-old Kevin Durant who needs help. They have a young core that isn’t ready to win. They have an opportunity to trade for Kawhi Leonard – a two-time Finals MVP who could be the perfect co-star.
But the cost is steep. Alperen Şengün. Reed Sheppard. Draft picks. The future of the franchise.
Leonard is 34. He’s injury-prone. He has one year left on his contract. Trading for him is a massive gamble.
But if it pays off, the Rockets could be champions.
The question is whether Rafael Stone is willing to roll the dice.
The NBA offseason is about to get very interesting. And the Houston Rockets are at the center of it all.