The Houston Rockets came very close to making the Play-In Tournament last season, buoyed by a 13-2 run in March which saw them come within half a game of the No. 10 seed. Their inexperience wore them out, but Ime Udoka has proven that the Rockets are on the precipice of contention. They need more seasoning for their young stars and the right veterans to join them on their ascending journey.
The Rockets have built a strong defensive identity last season but still lack finesse offensively. Fred VanVleet has been a great addition but he’s an inefficient scorer whose playmaking leaves something to be desired. Amen Thompson’s time as a point guard has been limited, which could lead to a position change for him. As a result, it might be the perfect time to bring legend James Harden back to the franchise in a blockbuster deal with the Clippers.
Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: James Harden
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Dillon Brooks, Jae’Sean Tate, 2027 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2026 Second-Round Pick (HOU)
The Clippers double-down on slimming their roster down and adding strong defensive pieces around Kawhi Leonard while the Rockets take a big swing for short-term gains with the second-leading all-time scorer of the franchise. This deal can’t be executed until October 7, 2024.
The Rockets Add Playmaking Flair To A Well-Built Unit
The Rockets have made great progress under Ime Udoka in their first season. The team will hope to keep making winning moves in a rapidly accelerating Western Conference. They can’t be left out of the competitive picture consistently and a deal like this helps them upgrade their baseline level of offensive production within the defensive system that Udoka has put in place.
Harden averaged 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists last season in a year he spent sacrificing and adjusting alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. We saw how dominant he can be as a pure playmaker the season before, as he led the league in assists with 10.7 per game in 2022-23. Even if he isn’t the scorer he once was on the Rockets, he’s still one of the best passers in the NBA.
Harden would be incredible for Jalen Green’s offensive development. Tyrese Maxey has credited Harden with accelerating his development in the NBA, and Harden could do something similar for Green who’s a bombastic scorer. He’d also be a great asset to the developing wings on the roster like Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason, alongside prized young stars Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.
The Clippers Get Leaner And Meaner
The Clippers have taken an interesting route to roster building over this summer, replacing the outgoing Paul George with several defensive-minded players such as Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. There’s a clear focus on defensive identity for the Clippers and the acquisition of Brooks would be ideal for them. His averages of 12.7 points and 3.4 rebounds are deceiving, as he’s an All-Defense caliber POA option who has a streaky shot, but isn’t afraid to shoot them.
With the offensive limitations of Jones Jr., Brooks provides an additional 3-and-D element on the wing, whether at small forward alongside Kawhi Leonard or as a two in the backcourt with either Kris Dunn or Bones Hyland. Even players like Terance Mann would get additional opportunities at guard, with all the primary options being two-way players, except Hyland.
The Clippers also get a lot more financial flexibility with this deal, as Brooks has a manageable three years and about $60 million left on his contract while Jae’Sean Tate is on a $7 million expiring contract. In the short term, he could be a rotational option across positions for Ty Lue but will be on the outside looking into the Clippers’ robust forward rotation.
Clippers Re-Tool For A Brighter Future While The Rockets Take A Low-Risk Win-Now Gamble
The Clippers were left with no choice but to commit to re-signing James Harden this summer after Paul George’s departure. There’s a shape where they can maximize their current roster with the Harden-Leonard duo, but it’s time to start getting the pieces for a big move in the future right now. Harden’s value will only recede and this deal gives the Clippers manageable contracts as well as future picks.
The Rockets are in a position with their draft capital and young depth to take this flier on Harden. He still has deep roots within Houston’s community and has willingly accepted a smaller role at his last three stops. Completing his story as a returning legend to help the franchise reach its goal is a great story that he’d be motivated to buy into. He has a relationship with Ime Udoka and would be the perfect on-court complement to their young core of wing defenders and shooters.
Realistically, this deal would never happen due to the Rockets building continuity with their young core and adding the No. 3 pick in the 2024 Draft guard Reed Sheppard to it while the Clippers have a new arena to sell out with James Harden’s name on the marquee. But if they did explore a deal like this, it could work out for everyone.
Sheppard doesn’t need to be thrust into an advanced role and could learn behind both Harden and VanVleet, with the latter being put into a sixth-man role where he’d thrive as well. Amen Thompson has already been tried at the wing last season and could mold himself into Brooks’ replacement with arguably a much higher defensive ceiling. The same goes for wings like Tari Eason and Cam Whitmore, who get more of an opportunity with Harden joining and Brooks leaving.
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