The Warriors missed the opportunity to overtake the Lakers, the Grizzlies' counterattack momentum was waning, and the Jazz slowly rushed up, and it was really the Wild West.
The Jazz narrowly beat the Pistons in their last game at home, and Monty Williams mentioned after the game that the home team had 35 free throws and they only had 22 free throws. Udoka had the same annoyance as Monty Williams when the Rockets met the Flow, and he was fined by the league for complaining about referees.
On the Jazz side, Markkanen and Clarkson scored 31 and 36 points, respectively, while Sexton and Olynyk also contributed to the team, finishing with 25 points, five assists, and nine points, five rebounds and four assists, respectively.
For the Houston Rockets, who are entering the second phase of the rebuild, they will need to further upgrade their roster if they want to make the playoffs.
Udoka has not publicly asked for a deal, but he will certainly communicate with Stone privately.
Rockets general manager Stone is looking to bolster both the guard and center positions.
NBA Analysis Network says Sexton and Olynyk are the right fit for Houston. The American outlet suggested that the Rockets send the 2024 Nets first-round pick, the 2024 Thunder second-round pick, the 2025 Thunder second-round pick and the 2025 second-round pick, as well as players for matching.
HoopsHype Celebrity Scotto previously broke the news that the Rockets are looking to further upgrade the team's roster through a trade. Oladipo, Landale and Jeff Green's contracts serve as the main bargaining chips, along with draft picks.
Three players, one first-round pick and three second-round picks, to trade back Sexton and Olynyk, I have to say that this 7-for-2 trade plan is a bit of a loss for the Rockets.
Oladipo has no timetable for his return, and his contract is expiring and he is being paid $9.45 million a year this season. Landale has a salary of $8 million this season and is not guaranteed for next season. And Jeff Green's salary plus $9.6 million in bonuses this season is also not guaranteed for next season. The combined contracts of the Rockets are just right for Sexton and Olynyk.
Sexton, 25, 1.88m, is the No. 8 pick in 2018, ahead of Alexander. Sexton is a great scoringer, has won the All-Star Skills Contest and was named to the rookie second team, and once averaged 24.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in a single season. Sexton was seriously injured and missed a big contract, and the Cavaliers sent him to the Jazz.
Sexton averaged 15.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 24 minutes per game this season, shooting 46.7% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range, ranking 227th in the league in defensive efficiency, with an annual salary of $17.33 million and a contract expiring in 2026.
Sexton has strong breakthrough ability, has mid-range shots, and has some passing ability, but his height will be a shortcoming on the defensive end, and he has injury hazards, and his passing vision is average. Sexton's three-point shooting and defense this season is not as good as Jalen Green's, he is better than Holiday but also has a much higher annual salary and a longer contract.
Sexton doesn't deserve the Rockets' 2024 Nets first-round pick, a rising draft pick that could theoretically be the No. 1 pick.
Olynyk, 32, 2.11 meters tall, averaged 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 22 minutes per game this season, shooting 56% from the field and 40.3% from three-point range. Olynyk is what some Houston reporters and media people consider a suitable reinforcement target, and he is certainly much better than Landale and has a better three-point shooting and passing than Jeff Green. But Olynyk's rim can't be counted on too much, and he can't greatly improve the Rockets' interior defense.