The Houston Rockets are expected to at least dabble in trade talks before the Feb. 9 deadline, but their involvement in this year's trade season likely pales in comparison to that of Friday night's opponent. Houston will host the Toronto Raptors at the Toyota Center on Friday, with the team north of the border entering the contest as a squad in serious flux. Toronto has under-performed compared to expectation thus far this season, entering Friday sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference at 23–30. The struggles have prompted a potential pivot for general manager Masai Ujiri and company. As the Raptors flounder, a push to get younger appears in the cards, with veterans such as guards Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. potentially on the trade block, along with talented wing OG Anunoby. Toronto is too talented to wholly tank its way to the bottom of the Eatern Conference standings, but a step back in 2022-23 could fuel success in the next part of the decade. The usual crop … [Read more...] about Will the Houston Rockets pursue a trade for Fred VanVleet?
Rafael stone
How Kyrie Irving’s trade request could benefit the Houston Rockets
The trade chatter around the NBA has been given a serious jolt before the Feb. 9 deadline, as multiple reports emerged Friday regarding Kyrie Irving's dissatisfaction with the Brooklyn Nets. Irving is no stranger to seizing the news cycle given his mercurial nature, but Friday's trade request could seriously signal the end of the point guard's time in Brooklyn. Irving is slated to be a free agent after the 2022-23 season, and given the reported difference between he and the Nets in contract extension talks, it's very possible the Nets trade him this week rather than lose him for nothing this summer. What was supposed to be a relatively sleepy trade deadline period has now been turned upside down. The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are the leading suitors for Irving at the moment, per The Athletic's Shams Charania . Will the Houston Rockets join that list? Consider that a serious long shot. ESPN's Tim McMahon noted in late December that … [Read more...] about How Kyrie Irving’s trade request could benefit the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets trade deadline mailbag: Will Eric Gordon be dealt?
The third year of the Houston Rockets ' rebuild hasn't exactly gone according to plan in 2022-23, with a purported season of growth thus far marred by scoring struggles, listless stretches and a roster both too young and not quite talented enough to compete on most nights. But in what's been largely a snoozer of a season for the casual fan, this week could provide some serious fireworks. Thursday afternoon will mark the trade deadline for the 2022-23 season, and we could see at least one Rockets' rotation player on the move. And with the trade chatter increasing by the day, we at Chron decided to once again open our mailbag as fans look toward the future of the franchise. So what questions can we answer about this year's trade deadline and the season's final 39 games? Let's dive in below. Do you actually expect Eric Gordon to get traded this year? Will the Rockets deal him even if they don't get a first-round pick? It’s certainly not a sure thing that Eric Gordon is … [Read more...] about Houston Rockets trade deadline mailbag: Will Eric Gordon be dealt?