At the grand NBA lottery lottery feast, the Rockets were like the darlings of Lady Luck and happily picked up the precious lottery pick. This result, like a brilliant rainbow, paints a new picture full of infinite possibilities and hope for the future of the team. However, Stone, the general manager of the Rockets, unexpectedly revealed his willingness to trade, and the news was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples and making people full of more reverie and expectations for the future direction of the Rockets.
Looking back at the Rockets' first-round picks in the last four years, it can be seen that the Rockets have been actively seeking to rebuild and reinforce. From the 2021 pick (Jalen Green) to the 2024 pick, the Rockets have maintained a high level of activity in the draft market. However, although the Rockets have a lot of potential young players, the overall strength of the team has not met expectations, Jalen Green has a good offense and an unsatisfactory defense, and Smith Jr. has a good defense but an inconsistent offense, which makes the Rockets management have to revisit their team-building strategy.
Shen Jing's outstanding performance has made people see the hope of building the core of the Rockets, but there is still a big gap to become the absolute core. As a result, Rockets management began to consider a trade to accelerate the team's rebuilding process. In this context, the 2024 Tanhua lottery has become an important bargaining chip for the Rockets.
Stone said in connection that their chances of preferring a player would at least be higher than the chances of a trade. This shows that when selecting players, the Rockets will still prioritize those players who can fit the team's tactical system and future direction. However, he also mentioned that sometimes this may not be the case, which means that the Rockets management will adjust their strategy based on the actual situation and the market reaction.
For the Rockets, trading a scout pick may bring the following advantages: first, acquiring an influential veteran through a trade can quickly improve the team's overall strength and experience level; Second, more draft picks or young players can be acquired through trades, which can reserve more potential for the team's future; Finally, the deal can optimize the team's salary structure, leaving more room for future signings and contract extensions.
Of course, there are certain risks and challenges associated with trading Tanhua lots. On the one hand, the Rockets need to find a suitable trading partner, which is not easy; On the other hand, even if a suitable trade partner is found, the Rockets need to ensure that the team after the trade can remain competitive and consistent enough.
It's undoubtedly an exciting time for Rockets fans. They are looking forward to the team being able to usher in new changes and breakthroughs through this trade and lead the team to higher honors. At the same time, they also hope that the team can continue to maintain a young and potential building direction, and lay a solid foundation for future success.
Overall, the Rockets' willingness to pick up the lottery has brought new opportunities and challenges to the team. Whether it's selecting players or making trades, the Rockets need to carefully weigh various factors to ensure that their decisions are in the long-term interests of the team. In the days to come, we look forward to seeing the Rockets perform even better in the NBA and bring more surprises and joy to fans."