Rockets Trade No. 4 Pick for Star? There's 1 Problem ...
The Houston Rockets have been flying in trade rumors ever since the team learned it would be picking No. 4 in next week's draft.
Many believe that the Rockets want to find ways to win sooner, and that could mean trading a top asset for a player that will help the Rockets improve from their 22-win mark a year ago a little bit quicker. Among those linked to the Rockets in trade rumors are New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and Toronto Raptors All-Star Pascal Siakam.
However, Kelly Iko of The Athletic spoke on the HoopsHype podcast and laid out exactly why a Rockets trade would be difficult.
"The problem with trying to find a trade is whoever you trade the No. 4 pick for is someone you’d have to be OK with taking up a big chunk of your cap space," Iko said. "It has to also be somebody worth sacrificing the potential of the No. 4 pick. If you were to trade No. 4 for a guy like [Pascal] Siakam, does he move the needle enough..."
The Rockets also appear to be content taking a rookie with the No. 4 pick, but there's a caveat towards taking another first-year player. Considering the fact that the Rockets have seven first-round picks from the previous two drafts currently on the roster, and the potential for two more to join this year, opportunities for development for these young players is growing scarce.
It could be wise to package the No. 4 pick along with a couple young players who won't see considerable minutes to a team looking to offload a star.
The Rockets want to exit the doldrums of the NBA this upcoming season because they do not have control over their pick for next year's draft ... the Oklahoma City Thunder has that privilege after trading Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul back in 2019.
However, trading for a "star" that may not move the needle could be an even bigger risk that trying to develop a rookie like Brandon Miller or Amen Thompson.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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