The Houston Rockets made a lot of noise this NBA offseason. This team has been tanking for several years. They do not appear to be tanking anymore. The Rockets are ready to take a step forward.
This team signed Fred VanVleet this summer. They also signed Dillon Brooks. The Rockets also had a great draft night. For a long time, they were apparently torn between Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. Somehow, they got both.
Of course, all of those additions come with questions. How will the Rockets balance playing time for their young core and their incoming veterans? Meanwhile, this team is stacked with wings – will they have playing time for Jae’Sean Tate? If not, could they send him to the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Trade Proposal
Houston Rockets Receive: F/C Jarred Vanderbilt, G/F Cam Reddish
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Jae’Sean Tate, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (HOU)
In fact, the Lakers had almost the exact opposite summer as the Rockets. The Rockets are a young team that got older, while the Lakers are an old team that got younger. What are the Lakers doing? This team is clearly a title contender.
Why did they sign Reddish and Jaxson Hayes? Why did they retain Rui Hachimura? Don’t the Lakers know that, typically, young players don’t produce wins? In all likelihood, they do. The Lakers may be preparing for life after LeBron James.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets & Los Aneles Lakers Updates
At 38, he won’t be around forever. More broadly, the Lakers mostly targeted young players who will be able to help now. In fact, Hachimura has already proven himself to this organization. Should they acquire a positionally similar player?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
When asking yourself whether a team should make a deal, ask yourself this: what are they losing? What kind of value are the Lakers giving up here?
After all, Vanderbilt fell out of this team’s rotation in the 2022-23 playoffs. His complete inability to shoot made him a questionable fit alongside Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, Reddish has been inconsistent in the NBA so far. In all likelihood, he won’t be a major contributor to the Lakers next year.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets & Los Aneles Lakers Updates
Tate could be. He’s a sturdy defender who can guard multiple positions. Offensively, Tate is a good connective passer who can drive to the basket. He’s not a great shooter, but he’s a more willing one than Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, the Lakers know the value of second-round picks – they spent a bunch of them at this year’s deadline. Should the Rockets part with so many?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Sure. The Rockets don’t need second-round picks. They’ve got enough to spare. Meanwhile, this team has already got plenty of young players to develop. They’re likely to move these picks one way or another.
Of course, the Rockets have win-now aspirations. They’re trying to turn a corner. Is this an upgrade on paper? Not necessarily. All told, Tate and Vanderbilt are roughly comparable in terms of impact. Meanwhile, Reddish falls well short of either.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets & Los Aneles Lakers Updates
That’s fine. For the Rockets, this is about fit. Vanderbilt’s ability to defend at the 5 gives them a dynamic they’re currently lacking. Meanwhile, Reddish is here to make the money work. In all likelihood, he wouldn’t see the floor in Houston unless he earned playing time in practice. After all, the Rockets are ready to make some noise.
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