The Rockets were expected to cut ties with Cam Whitmore through a trade with the Celtics

The Houston Rockets are in an ideal position heading into the first 38 games of the season.

While the 26-12 ballclub doesn’t have a high-profile superstar like Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler, its roster is made up of high-profile contributors eager to prove their worth.

Still, there is an unlikely chance that the franchise could send one of its promising young prospects to the Boston Celtics before the February 6th trade deadline.

“The Boston Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA,” Ryan Stano of Sports Illustrated wrote on Sunday.

“They have a great chance to repeat as NBA champions, but the future holds some questions.”

“This trade proposal would see them solve that problem without abandoning the present.”

“Looking at the CBA and using the Spotrac trade machine, here is the proposal (Cam Whitmore to the Celtics for Jaden Springer, a 2025 first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2026 draft pick the second round 2031).”

“Whitmore has all the physical attributes needed to be a successful NBA player. What he needs to do is come to a team that doesn’t have a backlog of other young players at his position.”

“While Whitmore likely won’t get many minutes this season, he will have more playing time to develop over the next few seasons. Even though the present is so bright, Boston still needs to look to the future.”

“For Houston, they get a lot of draft compensation and another young player in return. Jaden Springer is someone that a lot of other NBA teams like.”

Whitmore’s production from Year 1 to Year 2 took a noticeable hit.

Still, the Villanova product’s run-and-gun athleticism, consistent off-ball movement and defensive potential make him a key part of the Rockets’ young core.

The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging 9.5 points on 42.5% field goal shooting and 29.6% three-point shooting with Houston this season.

Since Whitmore is a long-term NBA project, it would be difficult for Boston to find a role for the former first-round pick on its loaded roster, making Stano’s trade proposal an unlikely proposition.

More NBA: Warriors may cut ties with popular $7.6 million forward in favor of Pacers star