On Thursday, the NBA trade deadline came and went for the Houston Rockets. They were one of the few inactive teams in the league.
There’s a bit of confusion regarding whether the Rockets were even working the phones. General Manager Rafael Stone said that the team had spoken to various organizations and ball clubs.
“Obviously, we talked to every team. We had discussions. But this year, in particular, with the way the cap works, we were hard-capped at the first apron. So constructing trades was hard.”
Stone added that the team has generally been good through the first half of the season, thus, Houston “wasn’t looking to make changes at all”.
That’s a bit of a contradiction, but let’s keep going.
Well-known reporter Jake Fischer noted that Houston hadn’t been in contact with anyone.
“I have not heard the Rockets are actively involved in anything right now, not Coby White, not Ayo Dosunmu, not anything else.”
Chicago Bulls beat writer Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reportedly repeatedly that the Bulls and Rockets had been in contact regarding Coby White, as the Bulls coveted Tari Eason but Houston’s brass wouldn’t give Eason up.
(He’s never wavered off that reporting).
So what’s the truth?
Who knows?
In general, the decision to stand pat wasn’t an unwise one.
Although fans don’t want to hear it.
Which is understandable. Especially after watching these last three games against the Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.
(The latter two were on back-to-backs, I know, but Houston lacked effort, especially in the second half of both games).
But from a trade standpoint, you have to have assets. Something to trade.
Not to say that Houston doesn’t have trade chips. They do.
The Bulls proved that.
But those negotiations also proved that Houston doesn’t have players they can sacrifice. This is a top-heavy roster.
Houston was willing to part with…..Dorian Finney-Smith and an injured Steven Adams?
What was that going to fetch? They couldn’t part with Clint Capela, in light of Adams’ season-ending injury.
It would’ve been different if either of those players were on expiring deals. That, in it of itself, holds value.
DFS has three more seasons under contract. Adams has two years left.
Both deals were just signed.
What value do they hold?
Can this team afford to lose Eason or Reed Sheppard for a rental like Coby White? Or Ayo Dosunmu?
Or even Jabari Smith Jr.
Could they risk losing him for a rental?
For the way the roster is built, Houston’s best bet was standing pat.
And it could be why they never seriously engaged in real trade talks.
(Which seems to be the case)
