The Houston Rockets enter the NBA offseason with a definite desire for improvement because of the general belief that the previous season was disappointing. Despite having the highest expectations heading into the season, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, and while Houston could run it back next season, hoping a healthy Steven Adams and Fred Vanvleet with another season of devolopment for the young core would be enough, I think it would be foolish
to not consider making a trade if the price is right. Additonally over the weekend, insider Marc Stien said this:
“There is a belief in some corners of the league that Atlanta, Houston, and Portland all have legitimate trade interest in Brown.”
Enter Jaylen Brown, a 29-year-old guard/forward coming off the best season of his career, and helping to lead the Boston Celtics to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference despite superstar Jayson Tatum’s absence for much of the season. Brown has always been the Robin to Tatum’s Batman, as fans and media alike always seem to view Tatum as the star of the Celtics, and Jaylen Brown as his co-star, but this season showed that Brown could lead his own team. There has been a lot of discussion about Brown and the Boston Celtics possibly splitting ways during the past month. The Rockets have organizational ties to Brown through head coach Ime Udoka, who coached Brown during Udoka’s only season as head coach of the Celtics in 2021–2022.
Brown averaged 47.7 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from outside the arc, 79.5 percent from the free throw line, 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. When the teams were announced on Sunday, Brown was chosen to the All-NBA team even though he made the Second Team. In addition, Brown finished sixth overall in the MVP competition. The Rockets have enough salary to pay Brown’s $53.1 million salary by trading Clint Capela, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
Now, for what everyone wants, my opinion. I am on board with trading for Jalyn Brown IF the price is right. If Boston asks for Amen Thompson, I am hanging up the phone faster than you would hang up a call from that one relative asking for money. I would, however, give up one of Alperen Sengun or Kevin Durant. Now, obviously, Houston just traded for Durant last summer, but all Houston really gave up was Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the draft rights to Khaman Maluach, and some second-round picks. With that being considered, Houston did not really give up too much for KD, so while it would be unfortunate to pivot off him after only one season, it makes sense. Additonally, I would obviously at the moment rather give up Durant than Sengun, as Sengun is younger and allows the team to have young talent for after Brown retires. Sengun does have shortcomings: he can’t shoot from three, and he is not the best defender, but I would rather keep the player who is able to play another 5-10 years than the one who has maybe two or three years left at most.
What do you all think? Should the Rockets trade for Jaylen Brown? How much is too much to give up? Let me know, and as always, be sure to check back at The Dream Shake for all your Houston Rockets news needs.
