The 2020 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone and Daryl Morey and the front office did not stand still.
The Rockets traded Clint Capela, Nene, Gerald Green and a first-round pick in a large four-team deal to acquire Robert Covington and Jordan Bell, then sent Bell to Memphis for forward Bruno Caboclo.
Why This Was Necessary
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We’ve seen 50 games of the James Harden–Russell Westbrook pairing and the results of the trade are in:
This is the least-efficient offense of the D’Antoni Rockets era and, with the exception of the “Melo Rockets”, this is the least-efficient defense of the D’Antoni Rockets era.
Not exactly the kind of impact you would expect when you give up a crucial piece/Hall of Famer, two future first-round picks and two future first-round pick swaps.
By now, it should be clear that simply plugging and playing Westbrook into the template of past Rocketball success, a model that didn’t require structural change, won’t work and is never going to work. This team as constructed was not a legitimate contender. It was obvious with every home loss. It was a good team but not a great one and it was not going to win an NBA title.
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While it’s safe to say the Rockets drastically overpaid in the Westbrook trade, it doesn’t mean it’s a failure yet. One title would validate it all. The problem is that was not going to happen for the Rockets as they were — they have to make changes if they’re going to get back to the contender status they earned the past three seasons.
This trade gives them a chance.
The Rockets are taking a radical but smart approach to getting the skills of Harden and the strengths of Westbrook to mesh.
Capela was a key cog in the machine during the Chris Paul years. He was vital as a screener, pick-and-roll lob threat and rim protector. He improved a great deal as a switching defender. If defenders stayed home on the shooters, Harden or Paul would isolate, break down their man and force Clint’s defender to commit, creating alleyoop opportunities often. The Rockets were 42-3 in the 2017-18 regular season when Capela, Harden and Paul all played and Capela’s role in that can’t be overstated.
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With Westbrook’s inability to shoot threes, this system broke down — or at least wasn’t as well-oiled. Teams were doubling Harden more frequently, inviting Westbrook to do something from long range. Westbrook has only one scoring play that he hits at an above-average clip — shots in the restricted area. He could thrive in space with easy lanes to the hoop, but with two non-shooters on the floor, that space was limited.
So while many fans were yelling, “Don’t blame Westbrook! He got you 35!” they weren’t understanding how this all worked. To Russ’ credit, he is playing fine by his standards and has adjusted by abandoning his ineffective three-point shot and attacking the basket, but the overall impact is still felt. Clint filled his role well for years, but the Rockets are now married to Russ and they have to make this work.
By removing Clint, Westbrook can now be the lone Rocket on the floor with limited range. Yes, you lose the lob threat and that’s big. You lose defense and rebounding and that’s even bigger. These are things the Rockets are going to have bust their ass to make up because they’re going to be undersized every night.
But they have an identity now, a method to how they play that can maximize the skillset of their two star guards when both are on the floor. That’s what’s been missing. With four shooters around Westbrook, the likes of Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis can’t just loiter around the paint. The spacing that Westbrook needs to thrive on drives should be there and if they collapse protecting the rim, he’s a terrific passer and should find the shooters.
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In other words, this might just fit now.
“It just presented itself,” said Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni on making the deal. “Clint got hurt. We have Russ, who is a unique talent, and I think we need to play to his talents. I think James is comfortable either way. It does help him, I think, in the long run.”
That’s why I haven’t even discussed Covington’s skillset until now because it’s important to understand why the Rockets viewed this as the right move. Acquiring a center for this team is much easier to do than it is to find a two-way wing like Covington. This gives the Rockets a true Trevor Ariza replacement, a strong defensive wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan that can slide to four in smallball lineups. PJ Tucker is no longer alone as the team’s defensive anchor. Covington gives you another player that could attempt to slow down a Lebron or a Kawhi.
He’s a good three-point shooter (35.8% career) but not an incredible one. In Houston’s lineup, there’s a legit reason to be optimistic that he could inch closer to 40%.
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A lineup of Russ, Harden, Eric Gordon, Covington and Tucker is arguably the NBA’s most unique lineup. I expect the offensive rating to head towards being the best in the league once again. Defense? That’s the big question. Can the Rockets rebound and defend? If so, they’re a contender. If not, they’re a fun gimmick.
Caboclo is very intriguing. He’s 6-foot-9 with tremendous length, sporting a ridiculous 7-foot-6 wingspan. He’s energetic and can defend. I expect him to work his way into possibly getting some time at center, especially when Harden is running the show and Westbrook is on the bench. He has also shown the ability to hit from deep, connecting on 36.9% from three last year with the Grizzlies. That hasn’t been the case this season, but the ability is there and I think it will be a big key to working his way to minutes.
He’s dealing with a bone bruise in his knee and is still some time away from a return, but he’s an option for a four-five that D’Antoni can turn to.
Rockets Continue To Overpay
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Trading Capela for Covington? I agree with this move. I feel it improves the Rockets today and gives them a chance that they didn’t have before the deal. But tossing in yet another first-round pick for the opportunity to unload Nene’s and Green’s expiring contracts? Really?
It should absolutely alarm you the degree to which Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has given away valuable pieces to get what he wants. The Rockets have created FIVE first-round draft pick debts (three first-rounders and two first-round swaps) that extend out the next six and a half years, not to mention cleaning out the entire cupboard of second-round picks. The Rockets right now are basically that one college kid that opens and maxes out as many credit cards as the system will allow and likes the idea of making the minimum payment each month.
Wouldn’t the Rockets have just been better off using a fraction of these future assets along with, say, Brandon Knight’s contract, to acquire Covington outright and put him alongside Paul and Capela? I mean, what do I know.
The fact that Daryl Morey’s voice, when it comes to personnel and trades, does not appear to be the loudest in the room terrifies me right now. The Rockets better win a title out of this experiment because I can assure you, there will be some lean years in the near future.
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Conclusion
The Rockets are so deeply in debt that the 2020 first-round pick isn’t that big of a deal — it’s at least the one draft pick they’ve traded where they can get an accurate feel for where it will be. It’s just a shame that the Rockets couldn’t execute this trade without it, then use it to acquire another piece in a separate deal.
The team has two open roster spots and will aggressively enter the buyout market seeking a forward or center that gives them some size. Tristan Thompson would make a lot of sense, if the Cavs do pursue a buyout. They still need more help.
But the Smallball Revolution is here and the Rockets, as they did with the Threeball Revolution, are leading the charge. While everybody is laughing at Houston’s inability to match up with the size of the likes of the Lakers and Bucks, and it may prove justified, the Rockets are looking at it in a different way:
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Can those teams match up with our shooting and speed?
Armed with a bizarre fascination for Mario Elie and a deep love of the Houston Rockets, Dave Hardisty started ClutchFans in 1996 under the pen name “Clutch”.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was injured Monday night and the news dropped on Tuesday that the knee injury is serious — a torn ACL in his left knee that will end his season and a good portion of next season as well.
Brutal. I can’t think of an NBA team that imploded faster than the Dallas Mavericks.
You trade away a 25-year-old phenom who just hoisted you on his back en route to the NBA Finals a year ago. You cashed in that golden ticket to go all-in on a trio of aging stars in Kyrie, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson.
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Bold strategy, Nico. Let’s see if it pays off.
(Narrator: It’s not paying off.)
The Mavericks had some interesting potential this year and maybe the next couple of years once everyone was healthy, but now? Their star guard is likely out until the calendar year 2026 and Klay and AD aren’t getting any younger nor more durable. The Mavericks may have actually swapped their future for a present that never arrives — and Dallas GM Nico Harrison has to be feeling overwhelming pressure right now.
So how does this impact the Rockets?
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For starters, Houston has a game remaining on the schedule against Dallas on March 14th at Toyota Center — Davis may or may not be back for that game.
More importantly, Dallas is the 10th seed in the West at the moment, just 3.5 games ahead of the Phoenix Suns (11th seed). The Rockets control Phoenix’s first-round pick unprotected this season via a swap. We need as many West teams as possible ahead of Phoenix to keep them out of the play-in/playoffs and to push them as deep into the lotto as possible.
This complicates that. Phoenix’s remaining schedule is the toughest in the NBA by a good margin, with plenty of games left against the league’s best teams, so it still looks promising overall — but we’re talking about Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. They can still get hot at the right time while Dallas may struggle.
So keep a close eye on that. The good news is the Portland Trail Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the league and they are (shockingly) nipping at the Arizona squad’s heels.
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Taking a look ahead to the offseason, the Kevin Durant Pursuit will be big.
This one is a little more complicated for Houston. The Rockets really want Devin Booker but, as of now, the Phoenix plan appears to be to trade KD this offseason and retool around Booker. The Rockets will have interest in Durant but they’re not going to sell the farm (prospects and all the picks) for a 37-year old like they would for Booker.
Three teams that I’ve heard a lot about from Rockets circles that will be in the mix are Houston, Minnesota and Dallas — Timberwolves and Mavericks have been considered the main competition. But, a lot of this will depend on Durant himself and where he wants to play at this stage of his career.
Keep in mind also, if the Suns are “retooling” around Booker and Beal (holding the no-trade clause), then they could be placing a higher priority on win-now players over the return of their own draft assets. The Rockets definitely have the best assets overall to offer up in any trade package between those three teams, but if Phoenix does prefer finding the right ready-to-win players around Booker/Beal, that gives Dallas and Minnesota a real chance.
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This injury “may” take Dallas out of the equation, and they are/were definitely a contender for KD’s services given his past relationship with Kyrie and the way Dallas was positioned to win right now. Does KD at his age want to wait for Kyrie to be healthy?
And one last friendly reminder: The Rockets control that Dallas 2029 first (unprotected).
The Rockets made a move on Monday, signing former first-round pick David Roddy to a two-way contract.
The two-way spot opened up after the front office signed Jeenathan Williams to a standard four-year, $8.2 million contract (with friendly team options all along the way).
Roddy is 6-foot-5 and 250+ pounds but sports a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He was taken with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft — six selections after the Rockets drafted Tari Eason. A standout in college, Roddy averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game during his junior season at Colorado State.
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Roddy, who turns 24 later this month, is a physical player who can play multiple positions. He’s a solid rebounder for his size/position. He has played in 165 games over three seasons with the Grizzlies, Suns, Hawks and most recently Sixers, averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
The guard/forward has not shown efficient shooting, however — he’s a career 30.5% three-point shooter and just 68.4% from the line. His defense is better inside than out.
Ultimately, it will be those two things — three-point shooting and defense — that will determine his chances of carving out a consistent role in the league.
All in all, it’s a low-risk signing and the Rockets get a look at a prospect that fits their age timeline.
ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst said on Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline show that Brooklyn Nets forward Ben Simmons is working on a buyout and the Houston Rockets is a potential landing spot for him.
“Cleveland and Houston are two situations for Ben Simmons,” said Windhorst.
Brian Windhorst says the Cavaliers and Rockets are buyout locations for Ben Simmons.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka was an assistant coach in Philadelphia in 2019-20 when Simmons was with the Sixers, before injuries took a significant toll. In fact, Udoka, when speaking about Amen Thompson earlier this season, brought up some comparisons to Simmons.
“The skill set is there, and it’s something that’s unique with his speed, athleticism, size, passing ability, and all those things,” said Udoka of Thompson. “I coached somebody, Ben Simmons, who had similar traits… as far as size and ability to push the pace, and find guys and finish. There are some similarities there.”
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Both Thompson and Simmons are known for their elite athleticism, defensive versatility, and ability to create opportunities in transition.
However, can Simmons help the Rockets today? That’s the tough question.
Simmons has played in 33 games this season, averaging 6.2 points, 6.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 25 minutes a night. He does not shoot threes (like, at all) — he has only attempted two threes in the past three seasons combined.
Ideally, he does not play in front of your young forwards of Amen, Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. and on that basis alone, I think I would pass. But, Ime loves defensive dogs and he could use some extra ballhandling on the roster. You can see that there’s little in the way of offensive organization when Fred VanVleet is out.
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There would be a comical full circle moment though if the Rockets did sign Ben Simmons, considering the Rockets were heavily criticized for trading James Harden in 2021 to Brooklyn instead of to Philadelphia for Simmons. The Rockets clearly made the right choice there.
The Houston Rockets are working the phones to do a little more asset management.
After acquiring a second-round pick from Boston to take on Jaden Springer’s salary, the Rockets made another similar move, absorbing the contract of Cody Zeller this season to get back a 2028 second-round pick.
Ironically, that pick is Houston’s own 2028 second-round pick that the Rockets sent to Atlanta in 2023.
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The pick the Rockets get back from Atlanta — Houston's own 2028 second-round pick — was originally sent from Houston to Atlanta in the 2023 salary dump move that traded Usman Garuba and TyTy Washington to the Hawks.
The Rockets waived Springer to make roster room for Zeller. They will likely do the same with Zeller in order to make room for a buyout signing in the coming days or weeks.
It’s a small move but it’s another good one on the margins. These second-round picks add up. The two the Rockets got in the past couple of days — Boston’s 2030 second and Houston’s own 2028 second — could be eventually combined in a deal that nets the Rockets a solid role player down the line. Houston did exactly this last season when they acquired Steven Adams from Memphis.
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So quick grade? Easy A. Solid asset management work by Rockets GM Rafael Stone and credit to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for being willing to spend millions just to get some extra seconds.
The NBA Trade Deadline is just over 24 hours away but the Houston Rockets have already made a move.
OK, it’s not that kind of move, but Rafael Stone and the front office did make a trade on the margins on Wednesday, picking up Jaden Springer and a 2030 second-round pick from Boston.
The Rockets leveraged their open roster spot and salary situation to take the contract of Springer off the hands of the Celtics, who are saving a ton in luxury tax payments by making the move. It’s smart business by the Rockets, who are doing this for a second-round pick in 2030.
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Now, usually a Celtics second-round pick is not worth much, but this is five years out so it’s a quality asset as far as seconds go. In today’s NBA, these kinds of picks have grown in value as key assets for being in a position to land solid role players. With the Rockets planning on being a playoff team for the next several years, this addition could prove useful in addressing future roster needs.
This trade framework between Houston and Boston may not be new to you. If you watched or listened to the ClutchFans Podcast on Monday, David Weiner, aka BimaThug, literally called out this exact possibility of the Rockets taking on Springer and landing a second-round pick.
As for Springer himself, this was a player I liked quite a bit in the 2021 NBA Draft and I wanted the Rockets to take him at the Josh Christopher spot. He has not quite panned out just yet. He’s got good size for a point guard (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) but is not a strong playmaker and has not been incredibly accurate as a shooter (25.0% from three).
But he does have good defensive potential. Does that get Ime Udoka’s attention at all? Possibly, but the Rockets likely will get an end-of-the-bench look at him for the rest of the season before his contract expires this offseason.
