The Houston Rockets had one of the busiest summers in the NBA. Yet, their summer wasn’t just defined by the moves they made. They were also defined by the moves that they didn’t make.
For example, the Rockets were expected to sign Brook Lopez. By all accounts, they were close. In the end, Lopez would resign with the Milwaukee Bucks.
With that said, Lopez wasn’t the biggest name that they were linked to. A lot of people expected them to sign James Harden. They didn’t. In fact, by all accounts, head coach Ime Udoka wasn’t interested in Harden. Now, he’s a Los Angeles Clipper.
Could the Rockets be interested in another player involved in the deal that sent him there? Here’s a trade that has them acquiring Robert Covington.
NBA Trade Proposal — Houston Rockets Land Robert Covington
Philadelphia 76ers receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, 2025 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: F Robert Covington
Of course, Harden is one of the best Rockets in the history of their franchise. Since leaving Houston, he’s now been on three different rosters. For a while, it felt like he’d spend his whole career in Houston. What happened?
It’s hard to pinpoint the moment when the Rockets’ run of contending behind Harden ran up. Some would say that the dissolution of the relationship between Harden and Chris Paul was the beginning of the end.
The Rockets would trade Paul, along with assets, for Russell Westbrook. The fit between two ball-dominant guards in Harden and Westbrook proved too challenging to overcome.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets Updates
Don’t say the Rockets didn’t try to make it work. They even moved Clint Capela to attempt to run a spaced-out micro ball team. They received Covington for Capela.
Should they be interested in reuniting with Covington?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Since Harden left, the Rockets have struggled. They’ve been among the worst teams in the NBA for several years. This season, they’re looking to take a step forward. The Rockets spent a lot in free agency this summer.
So far, it’s been a failed effort. With that said, it’s early. The Rockets are winless, but they have plenty of time to turn their season around.
Still, it wouldn’t necessarily hurt them to make another trade for an impactful rotation player. Covington would be a solid addition. He’s an outstanding help defender who can space the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets Updates
Covington should have an opportunity to usurp Reggie Bullock in the rotation, and if he doesn’t, they’re paying a minimal cost to bring him in any way.
Should the Sixers be interested in Oladipo?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers have finally moved Harden. Now, they need to decide what they’re doing moving forward. It seems as if the Sixers want to use the assets that they landed for Harden to make a move for another star.
That would make sense. With that in mind, consider this a rough framework. The Rockets could be a third party, sending Oladipo and a second-rounder to a rebuilding team in order to acquire Covington.
On the other hand, these two teams could make this deal sooner so that the Sixers have another (small) asset to send out for that star. Either way, the point is to turn Covington into a second-round pick and an expiring contract here.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Covington, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets Updates
He fell out of the Clippers’ rotation altogether last season, so is value isn’t likely to be much higher than this. This is a small part of a bigger picture for the Sixers – it’s time for them to get busy.
