The US media "Open Air Stand" suggested that the Rockets trade Wood, Gordon and the Knicks!
ZACH Buckley, a reporter for the US media "Open Air Stand", suggested that the Rockets make the following deal with the Knicks:
New York Knicks get: Christian Wood and Eric Gordon
Houston Rockets get: Mitchell Robinson, Cam Redish and Kemba Walker
Here's why:
1. For the Knicks
The Knicks just finished with a 10th-to-last offense (23rd overall). Their scoring ability and pitch space are terrible, and a deal with the Rockets can solve both problems.
Christian Wood may have trouble with offensive consistency, but he's still the most enticing scoring interior in the league. Not many players have his body type (6'10"), skill and athleticism. If he manages to avoid being on A side Thibodeau doesn't like and improve his defense through a wealth of experience, Wood could be a real positive asset.
Now that Julius Randle, Obi Toppin, Nerlens Noel and Jericho Sims are all up front, there could be a bit of a time clash. However, the Knicks can form a three-headed scoring monster with Randall, Toppin and Wood, leaving Noel and Sims to do the dirty work for a limited time. In addition, if the Knicks re-sign Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks will have the same congestion, and the space on the court will be worse.
With New York's top 2 scorers: Randall and RJ Barrett performing well enough inside the three-point line, the Knicks could be drawn to the trade's ability to extend beyond the three-point line. Wood shot more than 37 percent from the distance for the third consecutive season. Eric Gordon was just around 41.2 percent. Both would give a lot of teams some much-needed breathing space.
2. For the Rockets
The Rockets are now ready to draft a replacement for Wood, as the No. 3 pick will pave the way for at least one of Jabari Smith, Paul Bancello or Chet Holgren. They could send away 26-year-old Wood, who doesn't sign after next season, in exchange for Mitchell Robinson, 24, and Cam Reddish, 22. The Knicks will match Kemba Walker to the salary, but the Rockets could buy him out immediately.
Robinson's athleticism and ability to tackle the basket may be in stark contrast to Alperen Sengun's floor stream. They and this year's third show will have plenty of time to prove themselves on the pitch. Reddish, meanwhile, still doesn't have a chance at the Knicks, but joining a long-term rebuild team like the Rockets will give him more time to find form. If the Rockets are willing to train him, he will become an influential 3D flanker.
What do you think of the deal?
