Not making a big splash at the NBA trade deadline can be viewed as a team not wanting to get better. With the constant flow of proposed trades all over social media and television, some fans wonder if their team is making a mistake in not making a deal involving big-name players.
The Houston Rockets did not trade for any big-name player out on the market. But they solidified a position of need by acquiring veteran point guard Dennis Schröder in a trade that sent backup center Daniel Theis to the Boston Celtics. That move allows rookie Josh Christopher to play off the ball and return to his natural two-guard position.
“It will help a lot and take a lot of pressure off of him,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas when asked about Schröder being the primary ball-handler on the second unit. “He (Christopher) is always looking over at me like, ‘What should I run, or where should I be?’ Having someone out there that he can lean on just to give the ball too and to get Josh open looks and can get everyone else organized will help us a lot.”
Rockets head coach Stephen Silas on having a true point guard for the second unit in Dennis Schröder:
“It helps a lot to have someone out there who knows the point guard position.”#Rockets #LightTheFuse #Sarge pic.twitter.com/XLAmgyQfPg— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 15, 2022
Christopher was picked at No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft. The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 10 points per game in February (in only 19.2 minutes) on 45.0% shooting from the field and 38.9% on 3-pointers, and he scored a career-high 23 points earlier this month in San Antonio. Silas has seen tremendous growth in the rookie out of Arizona State, who many predicted would not be a part of the rotation for the Rockets at such an early point in his career.
Yet, the Rockets need a natural point guard, especially with the release of DJ Augustin — who was placed on waivers to make the trade with the Celtics work. Silas said he sees what he needs in Schröder to execute the game plan with the second unit, and particularly with Christopher.
It helps a lot to have someone out there who knows the point guard position, who has been in a bunch of playoff games, who has been in a bunch of different situations, someone who was 19 (years old) when he first came into the league. He has a lot to offer our group.
He is an organizer, someone who pushes the ball, and he puts a lot of pressure on the defense, as well as puts a lot of pressure on the opposing offense. He gets after the basketball, someone who can set the tone for who we want to be defensively. We’re excited to have him and looking forward to seeing him play.
Schröder made his Rockets debut on Monday night in Salt Lake City.
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