Around the NBA, some teams have glaring needs. They may be competitive teams, but they’re imperfect. These teams have a particular hole in their roster that needs to be addressed.
Luckily, the trade deadline is right around the corner. This is the time of year when teams take stock of their roster. Soon, it will be too late to make improvements. It’s time to fill those roster holes.
Take the Houston Rockets. This team has a lot of talent. The Rockets have plenty of defense and playmaking. With that said, they could use an injection of shooting talent. Could they add Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings?
NBA Trade Proposal
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, C Jock Landale, 2024 Second-Round Pick (HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2029 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: G Marcus Smart
Houston Rockets Receive: F Harrison Barnes
Some trades are simple. Others are complicated. At times, two teams have needs to fill – but no way to help each other fill those needs. Can they still make a trade?
Sure – they just need a third team to get involved. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If a team has enough assets to acquire a player, they’ll find a way to acquire them. They simply may have to get creative.
Who makes for an ideal third team? Often, you’re looking for a seller. A team with nothing left to play for in a season may be willing to move quality players for assets. Should the Grizzlies be the third team in this deal?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
Well, the Grizzlies have nothing left to play for. That much is clear. With Ja Morant slated to miss the remainder of the season, this group is outside of the playoff picture.
They may as well turn their attention to 2024-25. The Grizzlies will have Morant back. They’ll be contenders. With that in mind, they could use some assets to make improvements to their roster ahead of that season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets Updates
Here, they’re picking up some assets. A lottery-protected first and a trio of second-rounders ought to suffice for Smart. Should the Kings give up an asset to flip Barnes for him?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Filling holes on your roster is important. Sometimes, that means identifying redundancies. If a team has a surplus of a skill or player type, they may want to make a move for the piece that they’re missing.
The Kings do not need Barnes. Keegan Murray is similar, better, and younger. Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter can fill time at the 3. On the other hand, the Kings could use an elite point-of-attack defender.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets Updates
Enter Marcus Smart. He’s one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. This is the type of player who can elevate this team’s ceiling. Does Barnes do the same for the Rockets?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Some Rockets fans will wonder if this is the right move. Wing depth is already a strength for this team. Jabari Smith Jr. is having a strong sophomore season, Dillon Brooks is having a career year, and Tari Eason has flashed immense potential when healthy.
Sure. The Rockets don’t have a positional need for Barnes. They do have a functional need for him. This team needs shooting wherever they can get it. Barnes is knocking down his triples with strong efficiency in 2023-24, and that’s been a theme for his career.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets Updates
The Rockets can figure out his fit later. If Eason can’t get healthy, it won’t even be a concern. If he does, Brooks can spend time at the 2, Barnes can spend time at the 3 and Smith Jr. can spend time at the 5. The Rockets can squeeze a wing into their rotation – especially if he fills their shooting hole.
