As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches, teams across the league are brewing plans for reinforcements and upgrades. Among them, the high-profile Houston Rockets have this year's pick, and they have launched a series of operation plans around the pick. It can be said that this summer is very critical for the Rockets, whether they can achieve further improvement in the new season and return to the playoffs again, at this juncture. During this critical offseason, the operations of the Rockets' management will have a direct impact on the team's competitiveness and future development path for the new season.
The Rockets had good luck this year and won the pick, and even though it was a small year in the draft, the top three picks were precious. This God-rewarded Tanhua lottery is undoubtedly a valuable asset, and the Rockets have two main directions of operation around this signing: one is to directly use the Tanhua lottery to select a potential rookie to inject fresh blood into the team; The second is to trade for instant players and additional draft picks in exchange for a quick boost to the team. Either way, there are huge benefits for the rocket.
With the deepening of the tryouts of each team, the value of the Rockets' probe is still increasing. In particular, Klingen, the center of the University of Connecticut, had a very good trial performance, which made many teams, including the Hawks, who have the top pick, salivate. So far, several teams have shown strong interest in the Rockets' picks, including the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are looking to trade draft picks upwards in order to draft their favorite rookie, Klingen. For the Rockets, this is undoubtedly a trade option worth considering.
Recently, according to NBA Athletic Stein, the Rockets may trade the No. 3 pick from this year's draft for the Grizzlies' No. 9 pick plus Smart, so that the Grizzlies have a chance to sign Donovan Klingen, an idea that has been mentioned more and more frequently by league insiders. In addition, Stein said that if any chance arises, the Rockets will compete with a few star forwards, George, Ingram or Jimmy Butler. In this year's draft, the Grizzlies have the No. 9 pick. As previously reported, the Grizzlies are interested in trading draft picks up to select Klingen.
If the Rockets can really make a deal with the Grizzlies, send the No. 9 pick in exchange for the No. 9 pick and the defensive stalwart Smart, it would be a very impactful trade. Smart's performance on the defensive end as Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) is unquestionable. His addition will greatly enhance the Rockets' defensive strength and bring a true defensive core to the team. Smart's shooting ability, however, is inconsistent, which is in stark contrast to the outside shooting ability that the Rockets are currently lacking.
This is also a possible risk for the Rockets in this deal. The Rockets are in dire need of shooting this summer, and they have enough defensive guards, but they just don't have the kind of players who can shoot the ball from the outside. Smart is good, but not necessarily for the Rockets. The Rockets' most important bargaining chip this summer is the scouting sign, and if they trade Smart, then whether they will be good or bad in the new season will be pinned on this deal, and hopefully the result will not disappoint. Let's see if Stone can give Rockets fans the results they want!