Give the Houston Rockets credit. This team entered the NBA’s last season with a goal – improvement. So far, they’ve accomplished that goal.
Nobody expected the Rockets to field a .500 basketball team at this stage of the 2023-24 season. The Rockets have mostly executed their plan well. This team tanked throughout a period of time in which they had no cap space.
When their space freed up, they spent it to improve. The Rockets acquired the game-managing point guard that they needed in Fred VanVleet, and shored up their defense by signing Dillon Brooks.
Did the Rockets miss anything? Well, they could use a defensive big man. So far, Jock Landale has looked like a whiff as a signing.
Could the Rockets make a move for Daniel Gafford of the Washington Wizards?
NBA Trade Proposal: Houston Rockets Land Washington Wizards’ Daniel Gafford
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, G/F Reggie Bullock, 2024 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: F/C Daniel Gafford
Give the Wizards credit too – but only some. This team made the right call when they moved Bradley Beal. Still, it’s fair to say that they made that call a little bit too late.
After all, they weren’t able to get the type of value that they surely hoped they would for Beal. In fact, the return was generally held to be underwhelming.
By contrast, the return that the Rockets got for James Harden several years ago was met with mixed reviews. Some felt the Rockets erred by receiving nothing but draft capital for their star guard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets Updates
By now, that’s become commonplace. One could make the case that the Rockets changed the market by receiving four first-round picks and three pick swaps for Harden.
The Wizards primarily targeted draft capital for Beal – but they got much less of it. Should they continue rebuilding by moving Gafford?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Perhaps we’re not being fair. Beal was never Harden. Either way, it’s a moot point. Beal is gone, and the Wizards are rebuilding.
That doesn’t mean that they have to move Gafford. At 25, the Wizards could see him as part of their future. On the other hand, Gafford is likely done developing. At this point, he’s closer to being an outstanding backup than a viable starter.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets Updates
So, we’ve got Washington moving him for a trio of second-round picks. They’re also taking on a pair of expiring contracts for Gafford. This deal helps the Wizards continue their rebuild.
Should the Rockets be giving up assets already?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
The Rockets are .500. They are far removed from title contention, but they’re in the playoff hunt. In a sense, they could justify holding steady. If Houston misses the play-in tournament season, it isn’t a catastrophe. This team still has ample young talent.
Arguably, they have too much young talent to keep all of these second-round picks. The Rockets are probably done developing young talent. If so, they may want to consider consolidating some of their less valuable draft capital.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets Updates
Why not spend it on a good backup big man? Gafford is exactly the type of player that this team is missing. He’s a highly efficient pick-and-roll finisher who defends the rim. In other words, he’s someone who can help the Rockets continue improving.
