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Well, December is here. It’s coming into NBA trade season. The deadline is February 5, so we’re already less than two months away it. The Rockets are mostly playing well, sitting in the fifth spot out west with a 16-7 record. They’re not perfect, however. A true point guard is still
a huge need. They also seem to be in a perpetual need for shooting. That might change when Dorian Finney-Smith and Tari Eason return, but the team certainly needs a little more long-range action to make them as flexible as possible when the postseason matchups arrive.
Houston has several pieces to offer up in a potential deal. They also have plenty of draft picks to offer if it comes to that, but for now, we’re focusing just on players.
The Rockets have two expiring contracts in Tari Eason and Fred VanVleet. Eason reportedly turned down a big extension offer from the Rockets to instead bet on himself, only to get injured yet again, missing significant time for the third time in four seasons. He seems like a logical trade option on the surface with his $5.7 million cap number. What are the potential options at that salary level, however? The Rockets are up against the first apron, so they can’t take on any salary. Is there a game changer available at that price level? Do other teams trust Eason to stay healthy?
VanVleet has an expiring $25 million contract. But he also essentially has a no-trade clause in his deal. That doesn’t mean a deal is impossible, just that Fred would have to sign off. That number buys you a much better player, but it would have to be somewhere Fred wanst to go.
Alperen Sengun has been named as a potential trade piece for Giannis Antetokounmpo. I wouldn’t make that deal if I’m Rafael Stone, but the NBA is a superstar league, and Giannis is certainly one of those. Stranger things have definitely happened, and if Stone wants to go all-in over the next two, three seasons, all bets are off.
Reed Sheppard is still on his rookie-scale deal, and although he’s been looking good lately and the Rockets are really high on him, if a legit true point guard becomes available, the Rockets might have to take a swing.
Aaron Holiday is on a vet minimum, and Ime Udoka no doubt likes him as part of the “stay-ready” crew, but if they could get their hands on a floor-setter, he could be as good as gone, if even as salary filler.
Jabari Smith Jr. has been named a potential trade piece in the past. He just signed an extension, so he’s going to be hard to deal until the 2026 season. Not undoable, however. Just hard.
Out of this group, who’s most likely to go?
Cast your vote and tell us in the comments!
