Since Harden forced the palace to leave, the Rockets have quickly embarked on a journey of rot, ranking first in the league after last season's record, and ranking first in the league this season.
This allowed the Rockets to win four first-round picks, including the top-notch, in one sitting last season, and a top-five pick in the first round this season, plus the No. 17 pick from the trade.
Since the second half of the season, the Rockets have been deliberately cultivating young players, with Leader Green, interior star Shin Kyung, Christopher and Garuba all performing well.
As a result, the Rockets' next path to rebuild is very clear, picking a top five picks in the offseason, while selecting a point guard or forward with the No. 17 pick whenever possible.
Then another season, in this season, as far as possible to give a group of young players a chance to grow, then the Rockets have a chance to return to the championship.
In this way, the Rockets must not only do a good job in the selection of young players in this offseason, but also clean up the immediate combat strength and make room for young players to grow.
Among the players who are ready to fight, the trade with Wood is undoubtedly the first thing to do, because he has a lot of ball rights, and the contract is only one year left, and the Rockets need to complete the deal as soon as possible.
To this end, James Piercey of the US media "NBA Analysis Network" gave Wood three perfect trade plans, including 2 for 3 for the Nets, 2 for the Hornets for 1, and the Rockets welcomed two new stars.
Trading Scenario 1
Rockets get: Joe Harris + Clarkston (sign first and change later) + 2028 first-round pick (from the Nets);
Nets get: Wood + Gordon.
For two teams in different situations, the plan fully meets the reinforcement needs of both teams, with the Nets gaining immediate combat power and the Rockets gaining future chips and young players.
After the Nets are eliminated in the first round of this season, the offseason is bound to usher in a major lineup adjustment, due to the core KD and Irving's good friend relationship, unless the Nets completely break the existing core lineup, it is unlikely to trade the two.
Ben Simmons has a mental illness, and it is very difficult to trade out, so he can only continue to build a lineup around the trio.
The deal perfectly meets the Nets' reinforcement needs, as Ben Simmons lacks the ability to project, and future partners Irving and Durant are on the floor, playing the No. 4 position is the best option, similar to the Warriors' role of Green.
As a result, the Nets need Wood's space-type interior to fill Ben Simmons' shortcomings.
Gordon will further improve the depth of the Nets bench, and his ability to hold the ball and shoot can improve the competitiveness of the rotational lineup.
For the Rockets, according to the Nets' current lineup configuration, the 2028 first-round pick has good value.
In addition, the 23-year-old Clarkston is also worth cultivating and can play the role of a substitute center in the future.
As for Joe Harris, the player, although he carries a large contract, he is a fixed-point shooter, does not occupy too much shooting power, and can be further monetized in the future.
Transaction Scenario 2
Rockets get: PJ Washington (sign first and change later) + Buknett;
Wasp Get: Wood.
It's the perfect deal for the Rockets, and the 23-year-old PJ Washington has made a name for himself as a forward player worth cultivating to fill the gaps in the Rockets' flanks.
Coupled with Shin Kyung's lack of projection ability, PJ Washington can complement it, and in terms of ball style, the two are also very complementary.
And Buknett was last year's No. 11 show, only 21 years old, and it is also worth cultivating by the Rockets.
Transaction Scenario 3
Rockets get: Duncan Robinson + 2026 first-round pick (from the Heat);
Heat get: Wood.
This plan can only be regarded as an alternative, and the chips exchanged are far less than the previous one, and are basically linked to the first plan.
The Rockets sent Wood back for a shooter who wasn't fit to rebuild, as well as a first-round pick, followed by further trades to clear out Duncan Robinson.