After Udoka took the helm, the Houston Rockets' record has improved rapidly, and they have a 41-41 record this season, with a win rate of 5 percent, but unfortunately, in the end, they still missed the playoffs, and it is predictable that the team will actively operate this summer to strengthen the roster in order to return to the playoffs next season.
The well-known basketball website "Bleacher Report" recently wrote a long article to provide advice for the operation of the Rockets in the offseason, the article pointed out that the Rockets can bring in All-Star forward Markkanen, who can form a competitive triumvirate with Green and Shin Jing.
Markkanen, a 27-year-old big forward from Finland, with a height of 213cm and an arm span of 219cm, is a typical European interior lineman with excellent playmaking awareness, as well as stable and excellent projection. He is averaging 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting 36.6% from three-point range so far in his career, and in 2022-23, he was named not only to the All-Star team, but also to the Most Improved Player of the season.
In the past season, he played in 55 games for the Jazz, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game, shooting 48% overall and 39.9% three-pointers, and he averaged 3.2 three-pointers per game.
According to the Bleacher Report, the Rockets could send young Smith Jr. and Whitmore, as well as a 2026 first-round pick from the Nets and a 2027 second-round pick from the Grizzlies, in exchange for Markkanen. While such an operation would cost the team some talent and potential, the most important thing for the team right now is to get results quickly, and Markkanen's All-Star level is worth the price the Rockets pay. Moreover, Markkanen and Shin Jing are both European insiders, who are also good at passing and projecting, and their twin tower combination will definitely greatly enrich the tactical changes of the Rockets.
For the Jazz, they are a team that is in the process of rebuilding, and the team has not even found a cornerstone young player at the moment, so at this time, it doesn't make much sense to hold on to Markkanen, and instead of the team's record, it is better to dive in and strive for a top talent. Strike early when Markkanen's trade value is high, and you can also get more chips for rebuilding.
All in all, this 4-for-1 deal is definitely worth considering, and it looks like a win-win deal for everyone to get what they need, so what do you think as a fan?