Heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets are in the process of rebuilding and retooling their roster, while still having enough players to compete in the play-in tournament. With a mix of young talent and seasoned veterans, the Rockets went 41-41 and finished one spot out of the play-in tournament. If the organization wants to improve, they may have to make some tough decisions, as some players are in their make-or-break seasons.
Tate had impressive rookie and sophomore seasons after going undrafted in 2018. The former Ohio State Buckeye may not have much time left in Houston after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Tate averaged 4.1 points and 3.0 rebounds, down significantly from 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in his first two seasons. The Rockets gained depth after signing Steven Adams, AJ Griffin and Reed Sheppard, so it’s better to get value in Tate while they still can than to leave him on the sidelines and waste his value. Not to mention, he’s already 28 years old, despite only playing four seasons in the NBA.
Trading Green may seem crazy given that he’s only 22, but consider the Rockets’ situation:
Green has been a productive player for Houston, averaging 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists over his first three seasons in the NBA. However, Green has struggled to be an effective and consistent scorer with the Rockets. He has had incredible stretches of dominance in some seasons, but for the most part, he has struggled to find his groove.
Maybe consistency will come with experience, but if he can’t find consistency in Year 4, it might make sense to trade him to a younger team, given that Houston has signed veterans like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams. As the Rockets look to emerge from the rebuilding phase, signing Green for another star could be what gets this team over the hump.
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