Tag: Houston Rockets Trades

Rockets guard Ben McLemore drawing trade interest from contenders

Several contenders are interested in trading for McLemore by the March 25 deadline, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

A number of NBA contenders are interested in trading for Rockets guard Ben McLemore, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. It isn’t yet clear what type of value that McLemore might bring the Rockets in any deal.

McLemore is in the final year of his existing contract, and with the Rockets (11-25) on a 15-game losing streak and seemingly out of playoff contention, there’s little incentive for Houston to retain players that they might lose for no compensation in offseason free agency.

A 6-foot-3 guard, McLemore was one of the NBA’s best long-range shooters last season, connecting on 40.0% of his 3-pointers at high volume (an average of 6.4 3-attempts per game). That could make the 28-year-old attractive to contenders who want an extra shooter for their bench in the playoffs. McLemore averaged 10.1 points in 22.8 minutes last season, representing the second-highest scoring total of his career.

McLemore hasn’t played nearly as well in the 2020-21 season, making just 30.9% from 3-point range while scoring 6.4 points in 15.7 minutes per game. But there are some clear extenuating circumstances.

For starters, McLemore missed the start of the season after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19, which put him behind the curve when it came to earning playing time for new coach Stephen Silas. McLemore hasn’t had nearly the same minutes or usage patterns under Silas this season that he did with Mike D’Antoni, and he also hasn’t had James Harden to pass him the ball and draw attention from opposing defenses.

The thought is that if McLemore joins a solid playoff team with a star player to draw in defenders, he could find more open shots and recapture the form he had next to Harden and Russell Westbrook a year ago.

With the March 25 trade deadline now less than two weeks away, the Rockets and their fans won’t have to wait long to find out.

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Rockets, PJ Tucker reach agreement to part ways, likely via trade

“He decided that he was just not really with it, and we decided that that’s a good idea,” Stephen Silas said of Tucker. “Let’s move on.”

PJ Tucker, his agent Andre Buck and Rockets GM Rafael Stone have mutually agreed that the veteran forward will no longer play for the franchise, according to Thursday’s postgame comments by head coach Stephen Silas. Tucker was a healthy scratch from the game, which Houston lost in Sacramento for its 14th straight defeat.

“We’re going to try to figure out something that works for him and works for us, as far as him not being on the team anymore,” Silas said postgame. “I was under the assumption that he was going to play tonight, and he didn’t play. That was disappointing.”

“He decided that he was just not really with it, and we decided that that’s a good idea,” Silas said of Tucker. “Let’s move on.”

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon, teams to have discussed Tucker trades with the Rockets include the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat.

Now 35 years old, Tucker is in the final year of his existing contract, and he’s now seemingly a lock to be traded before the NBA’s March 25 deadline. With the Rockets (11-24) having lost 14 consecutive games, which is the longest skid for the franchise in more than 20 years, there’s little reason for them to take the risk of him leaving for no compensation in the offseason. Moreover, Tucker — who hasn’t won an NBA title in his career — likely wants to compete in the 2021 playoffs.

Tucker is still valued immensely for his defense and leadership, but his lack of production on offense has appeared to limit one of the league’s worst offenses. The 6-foot-5 forward is averaging 4.4 points (36.6% FG, 31.4% on 3-pointers), 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 30.0 minutes per game, with all of those numbers the worst of his four seasons in Houston. However, many around the NBA believe that his production could be revived if placed around better players and in a contending environment.

According to ESPN, the Rockets believed they were close to signing Tucker to a two-year, $17-million contract extension earlier this season, with only $10 million guaranteed. However, Tucker’s camp reportedly countered by asking for a two-year deal worth $24 million, fully guaranteed. With Houston’s guarantee offer less than half of what Tucker sought, it’s understandable why the differences weren’t reconciled.

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Rockets lose Eric Gordon to groin injury in Sacramento

With 17 points in 25 minutes, Gordon was Houston’s leading scorer at the time of his unfortunate exit.

The reeling Houston Rockets were already without their two leading scorers in John Wall (left knee contusion) and Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) due to injury, and now they’ve lost their top reserve, as well.

Midway through Thursday’s third quarter at Sacramento, veteran guard Eric Gordon pulled up lame on defense and limped toward the Houston locker room. It was a non-contact injury, and the team quickly ruled him out with a right groin strain. With 17 points in 25 minutes, Gordon was Houston’s leading scorer at the time of his unfortunate exit.

The timetable of Gordon’s potential absence was not immediately clear, and head coach Stephen Silas will update his status postgame. Gordon entered Thursday averaging 17.8 points in 29.3 minutes per game.

For the Rockets (11-24), who have now lost 14 straight games, Gordon’s injury could have bigger implications beyond just the coming days. At 32 years old, Gordon isn’t necessarily an ideal fit for a team that appears to be heading down a rebuilding path. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had recently reported that numerous other NBA teams were interested in a potential trade for Gordon later this season.

Yet, the sudden health concerns could impact Gordon’s market. The March 25 trade deadline is only two weeks away.

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PJ Tucker out of lineup, reportedly wants Rockets to trade him

Tucker remains frustrated that he hasn’t yet been traded to a contender, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon.

Veteran defensive ace PJ Tucker is frustrated that he hasn’t yet been traded from the Houston Rockets to a title contender, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. Tucker was a healthy scratch in Thursday’s game at Sacramento, and the uncertainty regarding his personal situation could be an explanation as to why.

Head coach Stephen Silas will address Tucker’s status postgame.

Now 35 years old, Tucker is in the final year of his existing contract, and he appears to be a strong candidate to be traded before the NBA’s March 25 deadline. With the Rockets (11-24) having lost 14 consecutive games, which is the longest skid for the franchise in more than 20 years, there’s little reason for them to take the risk of him leaving for no compensation in the offseason. Moreover, Tucker — who hasn’t won an NBA title in his career — likely wants to compete in the 2021 playoffs.

Tucker is still valued immensely for his defense and leadership, but his lack of production on offense has appeared to limit one of the league’s worst offenses. The 6-foot-5 forward is averaging 4.4 points (36.6% FG, 31.4% on 3-pointers), 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 30.0 minutes per game, with all of those numbers the worst of his four seasons in Houston. However, many around the NBA believe that his production could be revived if placed around better players and in a contending environment.

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West exec calls Rockets GM Rafael Stone a ‘pretty shrewd operator’

“They’re too smart to just whiff and get nothing off of him,” the West official said, referring to Houston’s situation with Victor Oladipo.

With the second-worst record (11-23) in the Western Conference and a 13-game losing streak, the Houston Rockets are widely expected to be sellers at the NBA’s March 25 trade deadline.

Houston has a number of veterans on expiring contracts (Victor Oladipo, PJ Tucker, Sterling Brown, Ben McLemore and Dante Exum among them), and those are the types of players that often get moved once a team concedes a playoff run in that season is unlikely.

After all, perhaps the biggest incentive to take the risk of an expiring player leaving for no compensation in free agency is because of that player’s potential contributions to the team’s success in the final year of his deal. Once the upside of “team success” becomes limited, general managers often conclude the risk/reward balance dictates a move.

In the case of Houston, though, the upside of any sell-off is complicated by — at least on paper — the presence of an unproven front office. With longtime general manager Daryl Morey leaving for Philadelphia before the season, the Rockets promoted from within with first-time GM Rafael Stone. While it’s been an eventful first few months, headlined by blockbuster trades to send All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook elsewhere, he’s still a relative newbie.

Yet, Stone already seems to have turned heads around the league for how he handled those negotiations, and the influx of future draft assets Houston has received in the process. “Rafael’s a pretty shrewd operator,” one Western Conference official told Bleacher Report‘s Jake Fischer.

“They’re too smart to just whiff and get nothing off of him,” the West official added, referring to the situation with Oladipo. Fischer notes that a sign-and-trade arrangement in the offseason — Houston will have Bird rights on Oladipo — is also an option, if the trade options available to the Rockets by March 25 aren’t deemed to be satisfactory.

Per Fischer, one of the team’s scouts was impressed with the move that Stone pulled off to bring in second-year guard Kevin Porter Jr. from Cleveland. “I think the Kevin Porter trade was very telling,” the scout said. “If we can rehab this guy, maybe he can turn into a player.”

In the grand scheme, Stone’s track record remains limited. However, based on the evidence thus far, the Rockets have good reasons to be confident in their approach leading into a crucial transaction window.

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Report: Rockets could become major trade suitor for Orlando’s Aaron Gordon

“League sources said the Rockets were expected to be a major suitor for Gordon, if he’s made available,” Matt Moore reports.

The Houston Rockets would be a major suitor for Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, if he’s made available in trade talks leading up to the March 25 deadline, according to Matt Moore of The Action Network.

An athletic 6-foot-8 forward, Gordon is averaging 13.8 points (36.9% on 3-pointers), 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 29.1 minutes per game this season. Now 25 years old, Gordon is making $18.1 million this season and $16.4 million in 2021-22, which is the final year of his existing deal.

Regarding Gordon, Moore writes:

Then … there’s Aaron Gordon. Never quite the player he needs to be, which is the second coming of Shawn Marion, Gordon is the best asset the Magic have. He’s 25, shooting 36% from 3-point range (a career high) with four assists per game (another career high). Gordon needs to be the third- or fourth-best player on a team with top-end talent.

League sources said the Rockets were expected to be a major suitor for Gordon, if he’s made available.

Gordon is sidelined by a severely sprained left ankle, but he’s expected to return in March.

The Magic (13-23) have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, which could incentivize them to sell. The question, however, is whether Orlando would include a 25-year-old in such a sell-off. In theory, Gordon is young enough to still be a valuable piece for many seasons to come, even during and after a rebuilding path.

Then again, if the Magic fear losing Gordon in 2022 free agency — either from Gordon’s desire to be on another team, or not being aligned regarding his financial value — then a deal before the 2020-21 season’s trade deadline might make the most sense. This would be the last chance for Orlando to deal Gordon with multiple seasons still left on his contract, which could give them a greater return package in any trade.

From Houston’s perspective, Gordon would start next to Christian Wood in a young and uber-athletic frontcourt. General manager Rafael Stone has an abundance of future draft capital to potentially tempt the Magic in trade offers, as well as expiring contracts such as Dante Exum ($9.6 million) to help make the math work in various proposals.

At this point, it doesn’t sound as if the Magic are fully committed to trading Gordon. However, it’s certainly a storyline to monitor in the weeks ahead as the league’s March 25 deadline approaches.

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Rockets guard Sterling Brown expected to attract trade interest

Brown is shooting a career-best clip of 40.2% on 3-pointers, which could make him a desirable “3&D” wing for contenders.

Multiple league sources expect Houston Rockets guard Sterling Brown to be a trade target of other NBA teams leading up to the March 25 deadline, according to Monday’s report by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.

Long known for his wing defense, the 26-year-old is averaging 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game this season, and he’s shooting a career-best 40.2% on 3-pointers. The Rockets signed Brown to a one-year minimum contract before the 2020-21 season, which should make him financially attainable for a number of contenders.

Brown has earned respect for years as a strong yet agile perimeter defender, but an inconsistent 3-point shot kept his minutes spotty over his initial three NBA seasons in Milwaukee.  However, his strong showing as a shooter in Houston could make Brown a desired “3&D” wing.

From the Rockets’ perspective, the incentive to trade Brown is clear. As with other veterans on expiring contracts, such as Victor Oladipo and PJ Tucker, there’s a risk of losing Brown for no compensation in offseason free agency. Considering that Houston (11-23) is on a 13-game losing streak with minimal playoff hopes, there’s limited reason to take that risk if some sort of positive longer-term asset (i.e. a draft pick) is available.

Moreover, in contrast to Oladipo and Tucker, the Rockets would not have any form of Bird rights on Brown, since he’s only on a one-year contract. Thus, even if Houston wants to have Brown in future seasons, the financial package they could offer him is the same — regardless of whether he plays out the 2020-21 season in Houston, or somewhere else.

Thus, it would make a lot of sense for general manager Rafael Stone to explore that market before the March 25 deadline.

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Warriors reportedly interested in trade for Rockets guard Victor Oladipo

Golden State joins a long list of suitors for the two-time All-Star, with New York and Miami also believed to have interest.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Golden State Warriors are among teams interested in pursuing a trade with the Houston Rockets for two-time All-Star guard Victor Oladipo. Oladipo’s contract expires after this season, so the slumping Rockets are widely expected to consider trades for him leading up to March 25 deadline — rather than risk him leaving for no compensation in offseason free agency.

Houston (11-23) enters the second half of the NBA’s 2020-21 regular season on a 13-game losing streak, which has dramatically reduced their chances at making a playoff push this season. As such, the upside of scenarios where they retain Oladipo would seem to be greatly diminished.

As for the Warriors, Houston’s longtime rival could become an intriguing trade partner. In many cases, teams might not want to surrender a sizable chunk of assets for Oladipo, since they could be able to sign him as a free agent this offseason (without trading away anything). However, because Golden State is nowhere close to having salary cap flexibility, they don’t have the luxury of waiting until the offseason. Thus, if they want him, they might have to make a strong push, now. O’Connor explains:

League sources say the Warriors have interest in acquiring Rockets guard Victor Oladipo. The former Pacer has been up and down in his second season following a major knee injury, averaging 20 points on only 39.9 percent from the field. Golden State would not have the cap space to pursue him this summer, so the time to pounce would be now. Houston can’t demand too much in a deal given Oladipo has underwhelmed and will become an unrestricted free agent. Plus, Golden State wouldn’t have a whole lot to offer. Because of picks owed elsewhere, the Warriors are able to deal up to just two first-round picks: one from 2021 (via Minnesota) or 2022, and one from 2026 or 2027.

Golden State’s interest in Oladipo signals the front office’s intentions to find another ball handler. Curry and Draymond remain excellent offensive engines, but the Warriors are missing the next Andre Iguodala or Shaun Livingston. Could Oladipo fill that role? Though his scoring efficiency is down now, he would receive better looks when surrounded by better talent. He can also still generate shots for others off the dribble and play hard-nosed defense. The Warriors need more wing depth and another ball handler, and Oladipo should be one of the players they’re at least thinking about.

The expiring contract of Kelly Oubre Jr. ($14.4 million) could become very useful, as it pertains to matching salaries to approach Oladipo’s $21.0-million figure. Another theoretical path could include Andrew Wiggins ($29.5 million), who the Rockets could match by combining Oladipo and the expiring salary of Dante Exum ($9.6 million).

However, with Wiggins owed an average of more than $30 million through the 2022-23 season, he’s widely viewed as a negative asset. With Golden State low on tradable first-round draft picks, they may not have the requisite sweetener to make that path worthwhile, unless they were willing to deal rookie center James Wiseman (which seems unlikely) or that highly desirable pick from the rebuilding Timberwolves.

In any event, the presence of additional bidders certainly can’t hurt the leverage of Houston general manager Rafael Stone. Other Oladipo suitors are believed to include the New York Knicks and Miami Heat.

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Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP

Rockets unlikely to pursue tanking strategy at trade deadline

Per Jonathan Feigen, Houston has “no interest” in trading off veterans to collect assets and losses that could help draft lottery odds.

If the Rockets sell off veterans on expiring contracts by the NBA’s March 25 trade deadline, the objective won’t be to boost their odds in the 2021 draft lottery, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

On paper, the Rockets would appear to be classic sellers, since they enter the All-Star break with the second-worst record (11-23) in the Western Conference and on a 13-game losing streak. Since the odds of a playoff run are becoming increasingly remote, teams in this spot often shift their focus to development for future seasons — especially with veterans on expiring deals, who could leave for no compensation in the offseason.

Yet, general manager Rafael Stone has no interest in “trading off veterans to collect assets and losses that could help lottery chances,” Feigen writes. At least in part, that strategy is a result of the July 2019 trade between the Rockets and Thunder, which sent Chris Paul and future draft considerations to Oklahoma City for Russell Westbrook.

Feigen explains:

The Thunder has the right to switch draft positions with the Rockets unless the Rockets’ pick lands in the top four. With the weighted lottery, the Rockets can have at best a 52 percent chance of keeping the pick if they finish with one of the three worst records as they currently stand.

Losing could only work to benefit the Thunder. Unless selecting in the top four picks of the draft, the Rockets would get the worst from among Oklahoma City’s, Miami’s, and their own pick.

Feigen’s report jives with a similar scoop from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported recently that Houston was looking for a player — and not draft picks — as part of any trade involving PJ Tucker.

Another factor to consider is salary cap flexibility. Even if Tucker and Victor Oladipo, who are both on expiring deals, signed with other teams in 2021 free agency, the Rockets could have close to $20 million in cap space. Thus, any deadline proposals would have to be weighed against offseason options such as re-signing those players with Bird rights; signing-and-trading them (while using those Bird rights) to another team; and/or signing a replacement player with the resulting cap space.

On paper, a “best of both worlds” scenario would seem to be trading Tucker and Oladipo for less-desirable players on expiring contracts, along with additional draft assets. This way, they could recoup value now while retaining cap flexibility for later. However, the Rockets aren’t desperate for draft assets, since they already have the second-most picks (13) of any NBA team over the next seven years — tracing back to recent trades involving Westbrook, James Harden, and Robert Covington.

Another factor, Feigen explains, could be Houston’s desire to be an attractive destination in free agency — which probably would not the case, if they’re viewed as one of the NBA’s worst teams.

If they do have cap room and chase next summer’s Christian Wood, being viewed as a team on the rise, rather than playing on a tanking level, could be important if they have free agent money to spend.

As a result, while the Rockets are certainly open to trading Oladipo and Tucker, it doesn’t appear to be a lock that Stone will simply accept the best available offer by March 25. Instead, they will drive a hard bargain, in hopes of getting a player who can contribute to this year’s team.

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Report: Rockets could trade PJ Tucker ‘sooner rather than later’

“Multiple teams have sensed a deal could develop sooner rather than later, but the timing is likely dependent on the Rockets’ asking price.”

The sense from other NBA teams is that the Houston Rockets could trade veteran forward PJ Tucker “sooner rather than later,” according to Thursday’s update by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

With Tucker months from free agency and without a contract extension, the Rockets are open to trading him before the March 25 trade deadline, rather than risk him leaving for no compensation in the offseason.

Here’s the latest update by Charania, who cites Brooklyn as among the teams to express interest. Tucker and Nets star James Harden became very close over recent seasons in Houston, and they shared a lengthy embrace after Wednesday’s game between the Nets and Rockets.

The Rockets have a veteran player who has the intrigue of many of the league’s contenders: Forward PJ Tucker. The Nets, Bucks, Heat, Nuggets, and Lakers are expressing interest in Tucker, sources said. Multiple teams have sensed a deal could develop sooner rather than later for Tucker, but the timing is likely dependent on the Rockets’ asking price. As of now, Houston has sought a young player back in a trade, sources said.

Tucker, 35, is a versatile forward who’s able to defend multiple positions. So far this season, he has averaged 4.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 30 minutes per game.

Across the board, Tucker’s numbers are the lowest of his four years with the Rockets. However, as his teammates and coaches recently explained, his value is tough to capture in basic statistics. For starters, Tucker is a clear veteran leader and respected voice in the locker room, as shown by the testimonials of those consistently around him.

Moreover, there are additional benefits from Tucker’s extreme durability and toughness. Dating to 2012-13, the 6-foot-5 forward has played in the most games of any NBA player on any team. Those are among the many reasons why Houston general manager Rafael Stone likely has a high asking price for Tucker, even at 35 years old and in a contract year.

The Rockets (11-23) enter the All-Star break on a 13-game losing streak, which is their longest as a franchise in over 20 years. Barring a major turnaround, Houston’s status as a clear non-contender in the 2020-21 season would seem to boost the odds of a Tucker trade getting done.

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