In the recent lottery draw, Rockets' new coach Udoka only helped the Rockets get this year's No. 4 pick, missing out on French talent Venbanyama. But the Houston Rockets, which have more than $60 million in salary space, will definitely stop rotting this summer. Although they missed the title, the Rockets will definitely use their trade chips to make a big splash in the trade market and make an impact on the playoffs. 76ers star James, Harden has now jumped out of the player option, and the Rockets have given the former leader a four-year, $200 million contract. However, the Rockets still face fierce competition from championship-level teams such as the Suns and Lakers, and the Rockets are not attractive to Harden except for their salary advantage, and once a championship team extends an olive branch to Harden, the beard is likely to delay the plan to return to Houston.
For the Rockets management, while chasing Harden, they also have to prepare a plan B to prevent accidents. US media BR reported that if Harden cannot return to the Rockets, the Rockets are likely to complete a three-way deal with the Nets and Lone Rangers this summer. The specific content of this deal is for the Rockets to send Porter, Martin Jr. and Tate in exchange for the Lone Ranger's Irving. The Lone Ranger sent Irving and McGee in exchange for the Nets' Ben Simmons and the Rockets' Martin Jr. The Nets sent Ben Simmons and Sumner in exchange for Porter Jr., Tate Jr. and McGee of the Lone Ranger. If this deal is struck, it means: Irving will part ways with the Lone Ranger and Doncic to join the Rockets.
If Harden still has a hint of championship ambition, Irving, who is constantly working off the court, has become notorious, and many championship teams are afraid that Irving's arrival will affect the team's good locker room atmosphere and dare not cause this big trouble. If he leaves the Lone Ranger, Irving can only condescend to join some rebuilding teams, at least to ensure that his core status and top salary are not affected. Since I can't win the championship, I'm going to have to compete for the boss of the team and enough salary, which is Irving's truest idea right now. And the Rockets can just meet Irving's needs A four-year, $200 million contract is not a problem for the Rockets at all, and the Rockets are also expecting Irving to lead the Rockets young back to the playoffs with sharp offense, and junior rookies like Jaylen Green will not threaten Irving's boss status at all. If the Rockets sign Irving to a top gold contract, it means that Rockets management has largely abandoned the idea of signing back Harden.
After talking about the Rockets, let's talk about the other two teams in this deal, after sending away Durant and Irving, the Nets may also start their rebuilding path, through this deal, the Nets sent Simmons this garbage contract, and got potential young players from the Rockets to pave the way for reconstruction. And the Lone Ranger, who parted ways with Irving, welcomed Simmons, a mattress who would not attack. Although Simmons does not have any offensive ability, his excellent physical fitness and ability to organize the offense and defense will be of great help to the Lone Ranger. The Lone Ranger could also make Doncic central to the deal. So, I think if this three-way deal goes through, it's a win-win-win deal for the Rockets, Nets and Mavericks.
It's just a pity that after the Rockets signed Irving, the door for Harden to return to the Rockets has basically closed, but the Rockets will still seek reinforcements in other positions on the trade market to move towards the playoffs. For Harden, there are only two options, either to re-sign a contract with the 76ers or to leave to join other championship contenders and continue to fight for the championship.