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Rockets Eyeing Former Celtics Star Amid Kevin Durant Rumors

The Houston Rocktes are looking to upgrade their roster
Joey Linn|
May 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Marcus Smart (36) and forward Blake Griffin (91) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) react from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Marcus Smart (36) and forward Blake Griffin (91) and guard Jaylen Brown (7) react from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports | Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

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It was reported on Tuesday night by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the Houston Rockets are interested in trading for Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant. While Phoenix has not shown any interest in moving Durant, Houston is clearly trying to upgrade their roster in a major way this summer. 

In a recent report from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it was revealed that Houston is also eyeing Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart. Smart played under Rockets head coach Ime Udoka with the Boston Celtics, and Udoka reportedly remains a big fan of his former player.

“Houston is continuing to seek upgrades to help the team improve now, and Rockets coach Ime Udoka remains a fan of his former Celtics player, Marcus Smart, on the Grizzlies,” Scotto wrote.

While Smart is certainly not the major star acquisition Durant would be, he would certainly help Houston improve their defense. The Rockets have a lot of trade assets, particularly draft picks, and could be very aggressive this summer when looking to improve their roster. 

For a team like Memphis, they will have to decide if it makes more sense to bring Smart back or send him elsewhere. Having dealt with different injuries last season, Smart was not able to really impact the Grizzlies on the floor the way he projected to, but could still be very useful next season.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.

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