The Rockets restarted the trade for a $9.4 million contract and want to trade for an instant veteran? Stone has his eye on the playoffs
The Rockets ended their three-game losing streak with a home win over the Pistons, and the Rockets are currently ninth in the West with a 16-15 record. The winning rate has also exceeded 50%, but the Rockets have greater ambitions this season, their goal is to enter the playoffs, of course, if the Rockets can enter the playoffs as the top six in the West, then they don't even have to play the play-offs, I believe this is also the ultimate goal of the Rockets.
The playoffs are the main goal, and how far the Rockets can go in the playoffs depends on the players' on-the-spot performance, but don't underestimate the Rockets, this is a defense-oriented team, and they can play their talents more in the playoffs, after all, defense brings championships, and the Rockets themselves have the potential to win the championship, although they lack experience in playing key shots at the decisive moment, but the Rockets' talent and defensive potential can be called the league's first-class, however, relying only on the Rockets' current lineup seems to be almost a problem, if the Rockets can bring in some powerful players again, then the Rockets have great hope of advancing to the playoffs。
It's not a dream to go far in the playoffs, or even to reach the second round of the playoffs or the division finals. According to NBA reporter Brett Higal, the Rockets currently have the idea of restarting the trade, and they want to use veteran Oladipo's expiring contract as a main body to bring in a veteran with playoff experience before the trade deadline as a supplement.
In other words, the Rockets are not satisfied with the current roster, they also want to make the roster stronger, and Oladipo's final year of $9.4 million contract has become the Rockets' main trade chip, and this expiring contract, although it does not mean much to the Rockets, is an excellent addition for some teams who want to clear up salary space next season.
Oladipo has been recovering from injuries this season and has never played a game for the Rockets, but the value of this contract is there. Some teams that want to free up salary space should be interested in this 9.4 million contract, if the Rockets can take it as the main body and take some role players or some draft picks, there is a chance to exchange for powerful veterans, once the Rockets continue to strengthen the introduction of veterans, the already relatively strong Rockets will be like a tiger.
Everyone also knows that the Rockets' key ball ability is not good, and if you bring in some veterans who can make a difference in the playoffs, then the Rockets will seem to be more confident and confident at critical moments. This is also the reason why the Rockets have kept Oladipo until now and have not cut the veteran who cannot play. Because the Rockets are counting on this expiring contract in exchange for some instant players who can serve the playoffs. It seems that Stone, the general manager of the Rockets, has set his sights on the playoffs.