Does this trade make sense for the Houston Rockets?

Unloading Christian Wood in the offseason is something we could realistically see the Houston Rockets do, especially since rookie Alperen Sengun is starting to cut into Wood’s minutes late in the season. 

Christian Wood is not old, as he is just 26-years-old and could be a part of the Rockets’ long-term rebuild plans, but he is somewhat expendable to them and is entering the final year of his contract in the offseason. 

Set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Rockets have no security should Wood hit free agency and leave, which is why trading him now for value could make the most sense, especially if they can add another first-round draft pick over the next few years and two young talents currently on rookie deals. 

Precious Achiuwa would replace Wood next to Sengun in the frontcourt and Malachi Flynn could be molded into the perfect back-up guard behind both Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. in the Rockets’ backcourt since he is just finishing up his second season in the league. 

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This is a pretty good deal for the Rockets to make, especially since they get that 2023 first-round pick from Toronto. 

Already having what could end up to be a Top-5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Rockets could even replace Christian Wood with one of the better frontcourt prospects in this year’s draft class. 

Waiting until free agency to try and keep Wood from signing with a contending team does not make sense for the Rockets, which is why pulling-the-trigger on a trade involving him now is beneficial for the direction this franchise is moving in.

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