With a height of 1.93 meters, he has defense but no shooting ability, such a player can only sit on the cold bench in the Houston Rockets, but the Suns are bleeding profusely in order to renew his contract.
The 28-year-old versatile Jayshawn Tate was also trusted by Udoka before the start of last season, and his rotation was ahead of rookie Whitmore. Udoka believes that Tate's tough defense is something the Rockets desperately need, and Whitmore needs to learn to adapt to the NBA first.
Because Ethan was injured unexpectedly, the season was reimbursed early, and Tate also played nine starts. However, Tate was unable to provide rebounding protection on the court and could not open up space. The Rockets' rebounds dropped and there was a lack of space on the offensive end. Many fans want Udoka to use Whitmore, and Stone thinks so. The stubborn Udoka eventually compromised, Whitmore entered the rotation, and Tate became a water cooler player.
The Rockets are still rebuilding the second phase and haven't even made the playoffs. The Suns, on the other hand, are aiming for a championship and need to bring in 3-and-D giants. However, Okogie, like Tate, is not tall enough, only D and no 3.
Tate averaged 0.4 three-pointers per game last season and shot 29.9 percent from the field, and Okogie averaged 0.5 three-pointers per game last season and shot 30.9 percent from the field. The shooting level of the two is half a pound and eight taels.
Okogie averaged just 7.3 minutes per game in the playoffs last season, finishing with just four points and three rebounds in the final game. Tate is on a $7 million contract next season, and the Rockets plan to trade him away. The Suns spent $41 million to keep Okogie, which is really stupid and has a lot of money.
Okogie declined to exercise his player option to become a free agent at the end of last month, and he still wants to stay with the Suns. According to the team's reporters, the Suns are considering offering Okogie a contract that is a little higher than the base salary.
Unexpectedly, the Sun actually offered an annual salary of $8 million. Shams revealed that the Suns signed Okogie to a two-year, $16 million contract extension with no guarantee for the second year.
Salary expert Bobby Marks revealed that the Suns will pay Okogie $8 million a year next season, plus an additional $33 million in luxury tax, at a cost of up to $41 million.
As a result, the Suns became the first team to expect to spend more than $400 million this season, including $223 million in wages and $198 million in luxury taxes.
Seeing these data, many fans said that the Suns management is crazy and has frequent tricks.
A year ago, United States media posted data that Suns owner Matt Ishbia has a personal asset of $6.9 billion and can only rank ninth in the NBA. Rockets owner Fertitta is sixth with $8.4 billion. The Rockets failed to make the playoffs last season but made a profit, and Fertitta is now worth more than $9 billion. The Suns, who have a big three, exploded in salary, but they were out in the first round of the playoffs.
For the rockets, of course, it is hoped that the more chaotic the sun is, the better, and it is better to disintegrate. Once the Suns rebuild, the Rockets could take the opportunity to pursue Booker's upgrade to the point guard position.
The Rockets also made the move, and they decided to keep Jeff Green's $8 million chip waiting for a trade opportunity.
Jeff Green's $8 million contract for next season is not guaranteed and will be a regular if he is not cut by July 12. Now Jeff Green's contract has been converted to full guarantee.
In addition to Jeff Green, the Rockets also have contracts with Landale, Tate and Aaron Holiday that could be used as trade add-ons, all of which are expiring contracts.
Some Rockets fans have said that the Alperen-Sengunga Devvin Booker combination is something to look forward to, and Jalen Green can give up.
There are also Rockets fans who hope that Durant can come to Houston to bring young players.