#2 The team adds a veteran player
The Rockets signed both Chris Paul and Clint Capela to huge new deals last summer, so the team no longer has the cap space to add a third All-Star. Nevertheless, the Rockets may be willing to go into the luxury tax in order to acquire a player that can boost the team, and Houston have been linked with both J.R. Smith and Trevor Ariza.
The Rockets were interested in bringing Ariza back to the team earlier this season, although they ultimately missed out on a deal as the 33-year-old headed to the Wizards. Meanwhile, Smith was part of the Cavaliers 2016 Championship winning roster, and the guard has been available for a trade since November. Both players currently have overvalued contracts, although the Rockets organization will try to include some of their own high earners in order to get a deal done.