One NBA writer believes the Houston Rockets should trade for Boston Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown and sign guard James Harden this offseason.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks acquiring Harden and Brown should be part of the Rockets’ offseason to-do list.
“If Boston comes to the decision that Brown isn’t worth the supermax for which he’s now eligible, it might have to move him,” Bailey wrote. “And the Houston Rockets have former Celtics coach Ime Udoka and enough cap space to land the All-NBA wing. In the Spring, Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer listed Brown as a potential target of the Rockets.
“These two bullet points could be an either-or situation. Landing both of Brown and Harden would be tricky, to say the least. But the long-rumored reunion between Houston and James Harden may not have much validity without a competitive roster for Harden to lead. If he knows a Brown trade would be on the heels of his signing there, he might be more willing to come back. And if the Rockets entered 2023-24 with Harden, Brown and one or two members of the current young core, Udoka could have the team competing for a playoff spot as soon as next year.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Jaylen Brown & Houston Rockets Updates
Brown is eligible to sign a designated veteran extension with the Celtics this offseason since he made an All-NBA team this past season. The star swingman averaged 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 2022-23 for Boston.
Meanwhile, Harden becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer once he declines his 2023-24 player option with the Philadelphia 76ers. The former MVP averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 44.1% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: James Harden, Jaylen Brown & Houston Rockets Updates
The Rockets would be title contenders next season if they had Harden and Brown on the roster. It will be interesting to see if Houston’s front office takes Bailey’s advice.
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