Rockets Trade Rumors: Brandon Knight Available as Houston Eyes Wing or Guard

The Houston Rockets are reportedly willing to include a draft pick or two in order to trade point guard Brandon Knight and his $15.6 million guaranteed contract for the 2019-20 NBA season. 

On Friday, Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported the Rockets are attempting to upgrade their wing and backcourt depth, but are struggling to find a potential suitor for Knight and his lucrative deal as he nears a return from a knee injury.

The 27-year-old University of Kentucky product missed the entire 2017-18 campaign because of a torn ACL suffered while a member of the Phoenix Suns. He arrived in Houston in an August trade but has yet to make an appearance for the Rockets.

Knight tallied 16 points, five assists and one rebound in 22 minutes during a rehab appearance last week for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' G League affiliate.

He told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle playing a game in the NBA's development league was "fun" and gave him "jitters" as he returned to competitive action.

"That game was the closest thing to an NBA game," Knight said. "The second half I felt like my usual self. I felt really good. I know there's going to be ups and downs, but that was a positive for me."

He's been expected to slide in behind Chris Paul, James Harden and Eric Gordon in the Rockets' backcourt rotation once he rejoins the NBA roster.

It sounds like the Rockets, who are off to a sluggish 11-13 start after being viewed as a title contender prior to the season, might be trying to shake things up before he returns, though.

Knight has averaged 15.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds across 382 regular-season games for the Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons, who selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 draft.