How This Trade Impacts Houston Rockets
Once the Houston Rockets parted ways with James Harden, a rebuild was going to ensue. The team has changed course since the Mike D’Antoni days, as they are now looking to stockpile younger talent for the future.
Eric Gordon is one of the last remnants of that era of Rockets basketball, and he, along with Danuel House Jr., are the last remaining players from those contending teams. Now, things are being turned over to the youngsters.
Houston made four selections in the 2021 NBA Draft and all of them were teenagers. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Usman Garuba, and Josh Christopher are all 19-years old, and Keon Johnson would give them five teenagers from this year’s draft class to build their foundation upon.
Johnson has a raw offensive game but is ready to contribute defensively right from the start. He is one of the most athletic prospects ever, setting some records at the NBA Combine as well. The two-way potential is sky high should he be able to develop a jump shot offensively.
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In addition to Johnson, the Rockets would be acquiring Luke Kennard in this hypothetical deal. Kennard is still only 25-years old himself and would provide Houston with a reliable 3-point threat to help keep spacing offensively. He made a career-high 44.6 percent last season and is a 41.3 percent shooter from distance in his career.
The future second-round pick gives Houston some more draft capital to add more players to the roster or to help facilitate other trades down the road.
