How real is rumor Houston Rockets offered Brooklyn Nets a swap of draft picks?

Did the Houston Rockets recently offer the Brooklyn Nets a swap of first round draft picks that might signal a change of strategy for Nets? Both the Houston Chronicle and The Athletic are reporting there has been talk ... if not talks ... about Houston trading the four remaining Nets draft assets, picks and swaps, they control in return for the four Suns assets Brooklyn control. .

How serious the discussion remains a question. In fact, one league source told NetsDaily the reports are “inaccurate” and merely “hypothetical.”

First of all, while secondary sources seem to suggest that actual talks took place, The Athletic’s Kelly Iko discussed the prospect of a swap pick as among the multitude of options the Rockets have at the Draft:

Houston also could look to acquire future draft picks, such as Brooklyn’s array of assets courtesy of the Phoenix Suns/Kevin Durant trade. The Houston Chronicle first reported the Rockets’ interest in the Suns’ unprotected first-round picks (Brooklyn has ownership of 2025, ’27 and ’29 Phoenix firsts in addition to swaps beginning in 2028). Per team sources, the Rockets will re-engage with the Nets leading up to the June 26 draft. (Emphasis added.)

The Chronicle’ veteran beat writer Jonathan Feigen also reported on the possibility just before the draft lottery (when the Rockets moved from No. 9 to No. 3.) But Feigen was careful to note that “there was a call,” not quite talks, and that call was admittedly short, in that Feigen also reported that Sean Marks “quickly dismissed” the idea. Like Ibo, Feigen did not highlight the possibility but included it in a draft round-up.

This was the subject of the Rockets’ call to the Nets in January when general manager Rafael Stone sought to offer the Nets’ picks back to Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks in exchange for the draft picks from the Phoenix Suns that the Nets hold, according to two individuals familiar with the conversation.

That concept was quickly dismissed with the Nets preferring to pursue a playoff or Eastern Conference play-in spot than to lose their way to a stronger first-round pick this season. Though reports were that the Rockets were interested in trading Jalen Green or in acquiring Mikal Bridges, the Rockets’ primary goal was — and still is — to move their collection of draft assets back.

If the reports are true, that could indicate that the Nets are now rethinking strategy and considering a tear-it-down rebuild using their own picks rather than offer the Suns picks in trades down the line, maybe even for a superstar. BUT there’s been no indication of that at all. The new coaching staff may be development-heavy, but it’s not much different from Jacque Vaughn’s assistants.

As for the possibility that the Houston is expected to re-engage with Brooklyn at the deadline that would not be surprising. From what’s been reported out of Houston, the two sides have been in regular contact for quite a while. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 26 (first round) and June 27 (second round.)