Around the NBA, some teams will look different in 2023-24. In some cases, we’re talking about marginal changes. In other cases, we’re talking about an overhaul. The Houston Rockets are one of those cases.
This has been a busy summer in Space City. The Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Reggie Bullock Jr., Jock Landale and Jeff Green. They hired a new coach in Ime Udoka and drafted Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore. The Rockets are hoping to take a leap in the standings in 2023-24.
Apparently, they’re not even done making moves. Recently, the Rockets sent the (presumably) suspended Kevin Porter Jr. and a pair of second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. By all accounts, the Rockets are hoping to package Oladipo’s deal in return for a roster upgrade down the line.
Could that upgrade be Malcolm Brogdon of the Portland Trail Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal — Houston Rockets Land Malcolm Brogdon
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, F Jae’Sean Tate, C Boban Marjanovic, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2026 Second-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
With that said, the Rockets have got every reason to look different. This team’s circumstances have changed dramatically. For the last few years, the Rockets have been deliberately losing. They’ve been tanking to maximize their lottery odds. In 2023-24, that won’t be an option.
After all, the Oklahoma City Thunder own their selection with top-4 protection. Sure, the Rockets could bottom out again and play those odds.
After so many years of tanking, that can’t be an appealing option. The Rockets are making a win-now push. They’ll hand the Thunder the worst pick that they can.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
Still, the Rockets will have the opportunity to add some young talent to their roster next summer. They own the Brooklyn Nets’ pick. This it eh NBA’s new economy – team’s picks are currently all over the league.
Does this deal help the Rockets send the Thunder a weaker one?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
It’s hard to discuss the Rockets without discussing Kevin Porter Jr. This team has win-now designs this season, and Porter Jr. was supposed to be a part of them. In theory, he was going to be their spark plug reserve who can play on and off the ball.
We won’t go into grisly details here. Suffice is to say, Porter Jr. will not be with the team. So, the Rockets will likely look to replace him throughout the year.
If Oladipo can fill that role, great – but given his recent history, that doesn’t feel likely. The Rockets likely acquired him to preserve flexibility for another deal.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
This could be the deal. Brogdon is a versatile guard who will fit this team’s needs. He can play both on and off the ball and defend. He’s also another hard-nosed veteran presence who should aid the development of Houston’s young core.
Should the Blazers give him up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Rockets are hoping to move on to the next phase of their rebuild. By contrast, the Blazers are in the infancy stages of theirs. This team just traded Damian Lillard. The Blazers should be focused on the future, and Brogdon might get in the way.
After all, most of this team’s young talent is in the backcourt. Between Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons, the Blazers have their fill of talented young guards.
Meanwhile, Brogdon is a good player who will deserve time in their rotation. He may not be an ideal player for them to roster at this juncture. So, we’ve got them moving him. In return, the Blazers are receiving three second-round picks.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
Meanwhile, Tate is a useful player who they could flip down the road and may be happy to take on for wing depth right now. After all, the Blazers are another team we can expect to look significantly different next year.
