The Houston Rockets had a big summer. No team in the NBA made more noise in free agency. It’s the dawn of a new era. The Rockets have been flagrantly tanking since James Harden left them three seasons ago.
This team has been happy to rack up losses and maximize their lottery odds. Apparently, the tank stops here. Fred VanVleet is a Rocket. So is Dillon Brooks. The Rockets came into this summer with the most cap space in the NBA, and they spent it.
In all likelihood, they won’t make any more major moves this summer. With that said, if they’re having a strong season, they could make another big move at some point in the year. Here are three we think they should consider.
Trade No. 1 – Rockets Acquire Myles Turner From Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers receive: G/F Kevin Porter Jr, F Jae’Sean Tate, 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2026 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: C Myles Turner
Of course, the Rockets didn’t get every target they wanted in free agency. Rumor has it that this team had a deal in place with Brook Lopez. Apparently, the veteran big man changed his mind at the last minute and resigned with the Milwaukee Bucks.
It’s not hard to see why the Rockets would want Lopez. This team is missing a primary rim protector. Jock Landale is a solid defensive big, but he’s not an anchor. Meanwhile, the Rockets may eventually want floor spacing at that position with Amen Thompson in the fold. He’s an outlier athlete with prodigious floor vision, but his shot is, to put it politely, a work in progress.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Myles Turner & Indiana Pacers Updates
So, Turner could be the perfect fit. With that in mind, it’s hard to say what the Rockets will do with Kevin Porter Jr. He won’t be running point for them anymore, but he’s still a talented young offensive guard. If the Rockets want to keep him, they may want to set their sights a bit lower than Turner.
Trade No. 2 – Rockets Acquire Kelly Olynyk from Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz receive: F/C Jeff Green, F Jae’Sean Tate, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk
So, the Rockets would like a floor spacing big. They’d prefer if he had some defensive value. We’ve got them breaking the bank for Turner. By contrast, Olynyk would be an easier target to acquire.
Moreover, he’s got some experience in Houston. In fact, the best statistical stretch of Olynyk’s career came during his half-season in Space City. Those were different Rockets – Olynyk won’t have room to produce on that level with this iteration of the team. Still, he’s a solid defensive big who spaces the floor and keeps the offense humming with solid connective passing.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Kelly Olynyk & Utah Jazz Updates
Meanwhile, the Jazz have got a logjam of combo bigs. Between Olynyk, Lauri Markkanen and the newly acquired John Collins, this team may want to offload Olynyk. On the other hand, if they don’t, the Rockets will have to look elsewhere for their last rotation big.
Trade No. 3 – Rockets Acquire Mo Bamba From Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers receive: F Jae’Sean Tate, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: G/F Furkan Korkmaz, C Mo Bamba
Finally, we’ve got Mo Bamba. He’s a different proposition than the rest of the big men we’ve got Houston landing here.
Turner is a fringe star. Olynyk is a proven entity. By contrast, Bamba is still unproven. He’s had a disappointing start to his NBA career. With that in mind, it’s worth asking – why would Houston want him? Isn’t this team trying to take a step forward?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Mo Bamba & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Yes. With that said, Bamba satisfies the functional uses that the Rockets are missing. Meanwhile, Korkmaz has already requested a trade from the Sixers. The Rockets may be happy to unite him with his Turkish countryman Alperen Sengun. On the other hand, the Sixers may be happy to bolster their wing depth with Tate. They’ve had a quiet summer in terms of moves made – compared to the Rockets, anyway.
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