The Houston Rockets have been one of the most active teams this offseason. By making some key signings and facilitating some blockbuster trades, the Rockets are viewed as title contenders heading into the upcoming season.
Houston features a unique blend of youth and veteran leadership. Led by Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant, the Rockets have several capable roster pieces, highlighting their depth and strength.
As capable as this team is, the competition in the Western Conference also needs to be acknowledged. With teams such as the Thunder, the Nuggets, and the Timberwolves still in the running, Houston could benefit from making further upgrades.
On this note, Sports Illustrated’s Dave Holcomb presented a trade idea that would allow the Rockets to acquire a key difference-making player to further enhance their roster strength. Here’s the trade proposal:
Proposed Trade Details
Houston Rockets Receive: Josh Hart
New York Knicks Receive: Tari Eason
Holcombe based this trade idea on a report by SI on Knicks’ Jeremy Brener, who wrote: “It remains to be seen who will still be on the roster when the dust settles, but there is a chance Josh Hart may be on another team at the start of next season. Hart plays a critical role for the Knicks as their ‘glue guy,’ but the team may feel it is best to move him if it can acquire a player who helps them get closer toward winning a championship.”
On this note, Holcomb also acknowledged that trading Hart would prove to be a challenge. Regardless, there appears to be some merit for both teams involved in this deal.
For the Rockets, acquiring a player like Josh Hart would be akin to adding the last piece of the puzzle to the roster. Hart is one of the best role players in the game. By selflessly sacrificing his body for the team in every position, the forward is the embodiment of the ultimate team player.
Hart has undoubtedly been one of the most vital players in the Knicks’ rotation. His hustle and tireless work rate on defense are complemented by his incredible rebounding sense and reliable perimeter shooting ability. Overall, Hart finds ways to contribute, not just in the stat sheets, but to winning as a whole.
These qualities would be invaluable for a team like the Rockets. While the Rockets feature incredibly talented players, there is a shortfall of players who are capable and willing to do the grunt work.
With Hart, Houston could strengthen their overall rotation, effectively increasing their chances of making it out of the West next season.
For the 2024-25 campaign, the 30-year-old recorded an average of 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, while shooting 52.5% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. When factoring in his statistical contributions with his veteran experience, he would certainly provide a huge boost to the Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Knicks would acquire a young and talented forward in Tari Eason to replace Hart in the rotation.
The 24-year-old has generated some attention as of late, primarily due to an ongoing feud between his mother and the Warriors forward Draymond Green. While this distracts from his status as a player, his value certainly cannot be overlooked.
Eason is a tremendous athlete who primarily leverages his quickness on defense to facilitate disruptions and interceptions. On the offensive end, these aspects translate into solid transition scoring and powerful drives to the basket.
In some ways, Eason’s skill set is very similar to Hart’s, the only difference being that he is bigger and also younger. At 6’8″, the 24-year-old forward is poised to become a terrific player on the wing, and in a system like New York’s, he could be even more effective.
The Knicks are constructed with the intent of maximizing their wing depth. With players such as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges in the starting lineup, New York’s preference for capable two-way players is abundantly clear. In this regard, Eason would fit in almost seamlessly.
Last season, the young forward saw an improvement in performance as he received more meaningful playing time. With an average of 24.9 minutes per game, Eason posted 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, while shooting 48.7% from the field and 34.2% from beyond the arc.
Acquiring Eason would require the forward to develop quickly, considering New York is gearing up to make a title charge. While adapting to a new system could be a challenge, this change could be mutually beneficial.
The Knicks Are Committed To Josh Hart
As promising as this trade proposal is in theory, it is extremely unlikely for it to go through, primarily because of New York’s commitment to Josh Hart and their core as a whole.
The Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Despite their failures, the franchise offered Mikal Bridges a massive contract extension, locking him in with the rest of the core for the future.
This investment showcases the faith the Knicks have shown in their team’s ability to contend for the title, and as constructed, they might only need a small tweak, if anything.
Meanwhile, the deal also doesn’t work because of the drastic differences in salaries. At $5.6 million, Eason is valued significantly less than Hart. Without any additional player or draft assets coming their way, the Knicks would immediately shoot down this proposal.
