The Rockets, Cavaliers, and are negotiating a 4-for-1 deal, and the Rockets continue to strengthen their lineup and optimize their team configuration.
The Rockets lost to the Hawks in the opening game of the regular season, and Silas's team got a fresh look in the opening stages, but as the game progressed, it also revealed a number of problems that needed to be solved. After the game, many fans also complained about Ethan, believing that Silas should give Ethan the playing time of Martin Jr. and Matthews first, and Ethan only got 15 minutes of playing time in this game, contributing 8 points, 7 rebounds and 0 assists without mistakes. Martin Jr. played 23 minutes off the bench and shot 1-of-7 from the field for six points and five rebounds. Matthews played 14 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, and the defensive end became a direct ATM for opponents.
The specific plan of the deal is: the Rockets send Kenyon Martin Jr. + Garrison Matthews + Boban Marjanovic + Isaac Okoro, who signed the Cavaliers in the first round of 2023.
Okoro not only lost his starting small forward position in today's game with the Cavaliers, but also got only 11 minutes of play, and all but one shot that missed the basket.
Okoro is only 21 years old, a defender swingman who averaged 8.8 points, 3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 29.6 minutes per game last season, shooting 48 percent from the field, and is physically strong, capable of confrontation, excellent traversing speed and extremely strong on the defensive end. There is nothing wrong with the Rockets' offense in the new season, what is missing is defense. The Rockets now desperately need one or two defensive stalwarts to push on newcomers like Green, Porter Jr., and Shen Kyung, so that they have a new understanding of defense and are willing to participate in defense.
The Cavaliers acquired Jazz star Mitchell in a trade this summer to form the backcourt duo of Alain and Mitchell, but both of them are only 1.85 meters tall and easily targeted by each other on the defensive end. The Cavaliers are in desperate need of a sizeable and athletic small forward, Martin Jr. has a height of 2.01 meters, an arm span of 2.15 meters and a weight of 105 kilograms. Martin Jr. inherited his father's physical qualities, bouncing well and explosive power. He has the potential to grow into a top-tier 3D because he likes to defend and isn't weak in three-point play. In four preseason games, Martin Jr. averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 38 percent from three-point range. His arrival is also a good reinforcement option for the Cavaliers' forward line, and Matthews is also a much-needed backup for the Cavaliers as a pure shooter.
FINALLY: The deal is a win-win situation for both sides, with the Cavaliers bolstering their forward line and the Rockets continuing to optimize their roster to give young players more playing time.
