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Houston Rockets Trade Scenarios: Can Duncan Robinson Or Cameron Johnson Boost Shooting?
Houston Rockets: Time to Add Shooting Power?
As the Houston Rockets continue their season, the question arises: should they make a move to enhance their shooting capabilities? Despite a promising start with an 8-4 record, the Rockets are struggling with their shooting, ranking among the bottom three in the league for three-point percentage. This shooting deficiency is a significant concern, given their otherwise impressive performance, including a top-six net rating.
The Rockets have a roster filled with potential, but the lack of reliable shooters is evident. With several players buried in the depth chart, there is an opportunity to trade for a movement shooter who can provide the necessary floor spacing. Such a player would be a valuable asset for stars like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, offering a reliable offensive outlet.
Potential Trade Targets
The Rockets have the assets to make a trade, and one name that stands out is Duncan Robinson from the Miami Heat. Robinson, a career 39.7% three-point shooter, could be the answer to the Rockets shooting woes. A proposed trade could involve sending Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate, and a future second-round pick to Miami in exchange for Robinson. This move would not only bolster the Rockets shooting but also fit well within Ime Udoka’s defensive system.
Robinson’s ability to move off screens and create space would be a perfect fit for the Rockets, providing much-needed depth and shooting prowess. While some fans might be skeptical, the potential benefits of adding a player like Robinson are clear. His defensive experience with the Heat could also translate well to the Rockets system, making him a valuable two-way player.
Evaluating the Roster
Another consideration is the role of Jabari Smith Jr. in the current lineup. Smith has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled to find consistency. The Rockets must decide if they are the right fit for his development or if a change of scenery might benefit both parties. Smith’s potential is undeniable, but his current role may not allow him to reach it.
The Rockets could explore trading Smith for a player like Cam Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson, a versatile scorer and solid defender, could provide the shooting and scoring punch the Rockets need. While trading Smith might seem drastic, it could be a strategic move to maximize the team’s success this season.
The Rockets are at a crossroads, needing to balance their young talent with the immediate need for shooting. Making a trade could propel them into the upper echelon of the Western Conference, but it requires careful consideration of the assets involved.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Houston Rockets trade possibilities, tune into the Locked On Rockets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Rockets Podcast:
- Analysis of the Rockets matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers
- Discussion on the NBA Cup action and its implications for the Rockets
- Evaluating the performance of key players like Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun
- Insights into the Rockets defensive strategies and adjustments
I held off on writing about the apparent rash, or rise, of early-season athlete injuries because there’s always some recency bias involved when the subject comes up. Are there really more injuries this year than any other? Do we have the data to support it? Is there a new, underlying cause? Or are injuries due to the same compounding mix of bad luck and the NBA’s 82-game schedule running into a long postseason, running into the offseason, running back into a brand new long regular season and the erosion of bodies this eventually leads to?
A report early this week showed early-season injuries were up 35%, and indeed ESPN’s list of injuries, at a glance, looks like a ferocious Christmas tree, lit up in blazing reds and yellows. A handful of teams (the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Raptors) are cobbling together rosters game-to-game depending on who’s still healthy. TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott ran a draft of the injured list this week and each team reads like an All-Star squad on steroids, and when Abbott printed out the league’s official injury report it was 10 pages long.
Injuries are definitely up — but why?
The Paris Olympics proved extra playing time for a few top-tier stars, but most of them remain healthy. The early season schedule hasn’t served up any more back-to-backs to longer road game stretches, which tend to be more gruelling on athletes, than usual. However, when everything appears to be normal and the bodily price is anything but, perhaps it’s time to examine that “normal”.
The NBA’s current schedule of 82 games was adopted in 1967. Already, I’m sure your brain is picturing black and white basketball, that’s good. When you picture that grainy, glitchy footage, how fast is it going? The reality is that the game used to be a lot slower. Not just in its mechanics (think of an offensive passing sequence, the ball flipping from set of hands to hands at a speed that can be hard to follow), but the athleticism too. Bodies were moving slower. The game was still physical — the trope of players from the 80s and 90s complaining about the “softness” of current athletes is a trope for a reason — but full tilt sprinting, cutting, complex rotations, these weren’t the norm. Given that, the bodily mechanics were different. Guys weren’t stopping on a dime, pivoting hard, having to force their ligaments and muscles and bones into exacting motions with all sorts of volatile force behind them.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Analysis A few weeks into the season, and there have been some surprises. The Athletic looks at eight players to get to know better. (The Atlantic, subscription required)
Roster Debate is heating up on whether Jabari Smith should remain in the Houston Rockets’ starting lineup. With Tari Eason and Amen Thompson making waves, it’s a question worth exploring. (The Dream Shake)
Analysis Speaking of Eason, he’s one of seven players SB Nation says is in the process of making “the leap” this year. (SB Nation)
Preview The Rockets host the Clippers in the group stage of the NBA Cup tonight. Read the preview. (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Replay: Navigating the injury bug
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
This week in the fantasy basketball world has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. A major talking point has been Chet Holmgren’s unfortunate injury, which has fantasy managers scrambling for replacements as the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust with potential lineup changes. Keep an eye on players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace — who might see increased minutes — and consider them as temporary pickups in deeper leagues.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Rockets podcasts.
Amen Thompson & Tari Eason: Houston Rockets Game Changers In Win Vs James Harden & LA Clippers How the Houston Rockets bench continues to be the key to their success with Amen Thompson and Tari Eason AKA the Terror Twins™ stepping up as the “separation factor,” with their defensive impact and energy reshaping the game.
Houston Rockets Offensive Issues... Jabari Smith Jr. WORST Shooter In NBA? + Potential Trades & More The Rockets are grappling with offensive inefficiency, ranking 28th in the NBA for three-point shooting at just 31.3%. With key players like Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr. underperforming, the team faces significant challenges... How can they improve?
Alperen Sengun’s 27 Points And “Terror Twins” Eason & Thompson Power Houston Rockets Past Wizards Breaking down how Alperen Sengun’s standout performance against the Washington Wizards, scoring 27 points and grabbing 17 rebounds, has solidified his role as the “engine” of the Houston Rockets and how the “Terror Twins” Tari Eason and Amen Thompson dynamic duo is making waves in the NBA.
