2025 offseason update: Rockets' NBA draft assets, protections through 2032
As part of their busy 2025 offseason, the Rockets traded away several future second-round picks in the blockbuster deal bringing All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston.
They also, however, brought back two unprotected second-round selections in the trade sending Cam Whitmore to Washington.
Despite the transaction flurry, the Rockets didn't trade away any future first-round capital. And with the 2025 NBA draft having passed, Houston now has its 2032 selections eligible to be dealt, since the league allows teams to make trades involving picks from the next seven draft cycles.
Then again, with Houston's payroll in line to get much more expensive in future seasons, the Rockets could be incentivized to keep most or all of their current selections — since they're likely to need relatively inexpensive, rookie-scale contracts to fill out each roster.
With all that in mind, here's an updated look at Houston's draft assets through 2032, which is the last year that future picks can be traded. All picks are unprotected, unless otherwise noted.
2026
Houston's own first-round pick goes Oklahoma City unless it finishes within the top four of the 2026 draft lottery. In that extremely unlikely scenario, Houston keeps its first-round pick and sends its 2026 second-round selection to the Thunder. Otherwise, the Rockets have:
Keep in mind that because of the NBA's Stepien rule, teams cannot be without a first-round pick in consecutive future draft cycles. So, unless the Rockets trade back into the 2026 first round, they cannot entirely trade out of the 2027 first round.
However, it is possible to work around that rule by executing a trade shortly after a pick is made — i.e. Houston could draft on behalf of another team and simply wait to finalize the deal. That's what happened in June 2025, when the Rockets drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach and traded him to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Durant deal. Because Houston did not have a 2026 first-round asset, the Rockets weren't able to formally trade their 2025 selection until after the draft, else they would be in conflict with the Stepien rule.
2027
There is a very unlikely scenario where Houston could also receive a 2027 second-round selection from either Portland or New Orleans, whichever is worse. However, this swap is protected for picks No. 31 through No. 55, meaning that the only way it would convey is if both the Trail Blazers and Pelicans are among the NBA's five-best teams that season (and thus, both in slots No. 56 through No. 60).
To say the least, that appears unlikely based on current rosters and standings.
2028
2029
2030
2031
As part of the Clint Capela trade, Atlanta has the right to swap its 2031 second-round pick for Houston's 2031 second-round selection, with protections for slots No. 56 through No. 60. If this pick falls within that protected range and is therefore not conveyable, then Houston's commitment to the Hawks is lifted.
2032
Until the conclusion of the 2026 NBA draft next June, this is the last year that future picks can be traded.
More: Report: NBA teams view 2027 draft as lacking elite prospects
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