Rockets’ 4th Pick Could Be Used as 'Trade Bait', Jazz Potential Suitor

The Rockets’ aggressive push this offseason could lead to their top-five pick being dealt.

Rumors surrounding how teams will utilize their first-rounders in this year’s draft have been heating up with the results of the lottery finally released. We’ve already seen how the Portland Trail Blazers could look to trade their pick to secure some better surrounding talent for Damian Lillard, but we could now see the Houston Rockets do something similar.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Rockets are looking to make aggressive moves in order to improve next season, one being trading their coveted 4th-overall selection in this year’s draft:

The Rockets could trade the No. 4 pick, per @MikeAScotto

“With Houston preparing to make an aggressive push to sign James Harden this summer, rival NBA executives believe this pick will be used as trade bait as the Rockets look to take a significant step forward next season.” pic.twitter.com/eqWkRLML4t

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 17, 2023

Considering the persistent rumors of pinning James Harden back to Houston, taking the next step in this rebuild could be cashing in on draft assets. Whatever player the Rockets would take at 4 would likely need at minimum two to three years to develop into a championship-level player. Signing James Harden, who will be turning 34 entering next season, doesn’t exactly fit their timeline.

Instead, potentially trading down and collecting additional assets to surround this young team with more could be more appealing for first-year Rockets coach, Ime Udoka. We saw his recent comments upon joining the team on how he expects this team to be ready to compete off the jump.

"One of my first messages was 'youth is not an excuse. Not making the right defensive assignment, taking bad shots, all of that has to be addressed. "[I know I have to have patience] just like in Boston, I had to change some habits there as well. But it is no different than anywhere else."

- Ime Udoka in

his opening press conference

with the Rockets.

With this in mind, the Utah Jazz could potentially be a team of interest to trade down in the first round with. Not only considering the team’s three firsts in this year’s draft, but they’re also not picking too far behind Houston at 9th overall. Moving back five spots in order to secure a few additional picks or players could be the perfect way to start Ime Udoka’s career with the Rockets.

The Rockets also currently have upwards of $70 million open in terms of cap space. With the immense amount of players on the roster paid on small, rookie contracts, this makes this easy to imagine for a team like Houston. It likely won’t be necessary to jump through any cap hurdles, allowing more flexibility in terms of what teams can offer.

In terms of what the Jazz could offer, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Sexton, and Kelly Olynyk potentially present an interesting package. Nothing that jumps off the page or anything, but this gives Houston three instantly impactful bench pieces, something the team struggled with all last season. All of these players also conveniently space the floor nicely, consequently fitting well for the playstyle of James Harden, who may be coming back into town.

Utah could benefit tremendously for having the opportunity to select within the top five picks. Bringing in a young star such as one of the Thompson twins gives the Jazz a perfect building block to move into the future with. However, it remains to be seen if the team has what it takes to trade up for this highly valued asset.

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