Every team in the NBA has its own goals. Sometimes, the goal is merely to improve. Other times, the goals are more concrete. A team may want to make a run for the NBA title. Alternatively, they may simply be looking to make a run at the play-in tournament.
What were the Houston Rockets’ goals for 2023-24? If this team merely wanted to improve, that mission has been accomplished. The Rockets are much better than they’ve been in years. What if they wanted to make the play-in tournament?
In that event, the Rockets have some ways to go. This team needs more shooting. They could also use some secondary playmaking.
Could they aim to get both in one player by acquiring Malcolm Brogdon from the Portland Trail Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal: Houston Rockets Land Portland Trail Blazers’ Malcolm Brogdon
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, C Jock Landale, 2026 First-Round Pick (Top 5 Protected – BKN via HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
With that said, it looked like the Rockets were a play-in team at times this summer. They didn’t seem to need an additional move. Recently, their play has slipped. What happened?
Partly, it feels like opponents adjusted to their new game plan. The Rockets aggressively defend the three-point line.
At the beginning of the year, opponents were shooting horrendously against them from long range. Now, those percentages are regressing to the mean. Is that a matter of teams adjusting? Or is it dumb luck?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
At times, it can be difficult to deduce why teams shoot poorly. Either way, the Rockets shoot poorly consistently – that’s a problem.
Could Brogdon be the solution?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Certainly, Brogdon could help in several ways. Firstly (and most obviously), Brogdon is a knockdown shooter. The Rockets need shooting, and he provides it. When Alperen Sengun draws double teams inside, he’ll have a new target beyond the arc.
With that said, Brogdon isn’t a shooting specialist. .He’s also a capable secondary playmaker. That’s also valuable to the Rockets.
Amen Thompson has flashed upside, but he’s not ready yet. After Fred VanVleet, the Rockets don’t have a guard who can handle the ball consistently enough to run the offense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
So, Brogdon would be the perfect addition. He’s worth the cost of a lightly protected first-round pick for the Rockets. Should Portland accept that return for him?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Sure. In theory, Brogdon should be worth an unprotected first. In practice, his lack of durability may hold his value back. There were concerns about his health heading into the season, and Brogdon has had to miss some time this year due to injury.
So, a lightly protected pick ought to do. By 2026, the Nets will likely have worked their way out of the lottery anyway. They’re a big market team with a lot of assets to trade for a star. This pick should fall to the Blazers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets Updates
They’re not taking on any financial burden to land it, either. The Blazers are taking back a pair of expiring contracts here – Landale has a team option this summer. This is a fair return for the Blazers – right now, their only goal should be to collect assets.
