The Houston Rockets’ most glaring need thus far has been at the guard spot. They’ve struggled mightily to bring the ball up the court.
They also don’t really have anyone who can run pick-and-roll action. Well, they do, but he’s out for the foreseeable future in Fred VanVleet.
On nights against teams like the Brooklyn Nets, it’s not an issue. But when facing legitimate contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons, it can be difficult to overcome.
But the Rockets can’t really solve this
problem. Well, they can.
But it’s not easy. They can get a second-tier role player off someone’s bench quite easily. But it’s unknown if they’ll be true needle-movers long-term.
They can get a viable piece, also, by using VanVleet as salary ballast — to the tune of $25 million.
Which is tough for any contending team to have to punt on. Especially one facing the hard cap.
But Derrick White could be a viable fill-in for Houston. Even if he appears to be a diminished version of himself.
(Which isn’t true).
He’s just being asked to take on a role that he’s not fit for, as a top-level scoring option on a non-contender. He’s best suited as a role-playing glue guy on a title team.
He’s become one of the best defenders in the league years ago. And many thought he’d take the All-Star leap this season, with Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday out of the fold.
White is an underrated playmaker, especially when finding slashers or rollers to the rim. He’s averaged right around five assists per night for the last three seasons with the Boston Celtics.
And he’s a viable outside shooter as well, although you’d think otherwise based on this season (25 percent on 11 attempts). Some of that can be attributed to a wrist injury that he’s battling.
There’s enough data to negate this season’s showing. In fact, the last time he was on the floor, he made 40 percent of his triples on 10.8 attempts per contest in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Rockets would likely have to throw in a first-round pick (or two) to nab White from Boston, in addition to including VanVleet’s salary, which he’d have to sign off on, due to his implied no-trade clause.
But White would prove to be worth the haul relatively quickly, as Ime Udoka would know how to utilize him once more.
How do you want to see the Rockets replace VanVleet? Tell us over in The Feed. We’re taking any and all suggestions.
