The Rockets traded to earn, focusing on cultivating 4+3 blue-collar centers, 3 chips to increase value, and 5 guards
The Rockets completed a deal before the trade deadline, trading Theiss for Schroder and Fernando, a deal that the Rockets arguably had to say were empty gloves for the White Wolves. Originally, Theiss was a free-agent player with no chips, and he gave up the trading margin. Schroeder is on an expiring contract, and the Rockets can free up about $6 million in salary space in the summer. Overall, the Rockets' deal is undoubtedly profitable, which also brings controllability to the follow-up operation.
Schroeder has averaged 14+4 per game this season and has a strong immediate combat power, and he is not in the Rockets' plan. It's hard for the Rockets to renew his contract after the season, and the Rockets won't buy out Schroeder cheaper on other teams. The main target of the deal is actually center Fernando, who has lacked a defensive center since Capela left the Rockets. Theis, who signed this season, did not show his strength because of his height problems.
The Rockets' last two seasons have been dedicated to collecting players who have potential but aren't reused, and Porter Jr. is a good example. Fernando was selected with the 34th pick of the 2019 season, and he averaged 4+3 per game for the Hawks in his rookie season, and the overall performance was not bad. But this season in the Celtics is not used much, the Rockets need is Fernando such a blue-collar center, Wood, Shen Jing two interior defensive ability is very average, Fernando can improve the team's interior defense ability very well.
Wall, Wood and Gordon were all traded before the transfer deadline, but did not stay in the team because the return on the trade was not enough. That's not a bad thing, though, and the three players will also boost their trade value after the season is over. Wall has only one year left on his contract after the season, so the trade will be less difficult and attractive for championship teams, but he still won't play for the Rockets this season.
Gordon and Wood have good stats this season, and as long as this state of affairs continues, the value of the transaction will only get higher and higher. The Rockets focused on developing backcourt players with 5 players, Porter Jr., Jaylen Green, Christopher, Schroeder and Gordon, of which Porter Jr. has become the core and he will continue to control the ball. Jaylen Green is a rookie who focuses on development, Christopher and Schroeder will form a bench double backcourt, so that Christopher will play more without the ball, and Gordon can also use experience to help the team.
The Rockets are basically building up at the moment, and the real deal will begin after the end of the season, and General Manager Stone has not suffered a loss in this transaction. There are many teams that want a late first-round pick to exchange for Gordon, but it doesn't take shape. Gordon's deal is undoubtedly more valuable, and the focus is on Fernando, who is expected to renew his contract after the end of the season if he can help the Rockets on the defensive end.