Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets guard Victor Oladipo has reportedly attracted interest from the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and New York Knicks ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline on Thursday.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday the Rockets are seeking a "quality first-round pick or a good young player" for Oladipo, but rival front offices "wonder" whether they'll eventually settle for a second-round draft selection.

Oladipo has put up solid counting stats since joining Houston in a January four-team blockbuster headlined by James Harden heading to the Brooklyn Nets. He's averaged 21.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 20 appearances for the Rockets.

The 28-year-old Maryland native has struggled with his shot, though. He's shooting just 40.7 percent from the field, including 32 percent from three-point range, since his move from the Indiana Pacers.

His offensive efficiency has dropped markedly since his career-best campaign with the Pacers of 23.1 points on 47.7 percent shooting in 2017-18. Injuries that limited him to 55 appearances over the next two seasons combined are certainly a factor in the drop-off.

That said, he still ranks 15th among qualified shooting guards in ESPN's real plus-minus this year thanks to a net positive impact at both ends of the floor.

Oladipo is in the final season of a four-year, $85 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. He confirmed he turned down a two-year extension offer from the Rockets, which he called a gesture of their interest until they can make a four-year proposal over the summer.

"I didn't get a chance to say yes or no. They already were under the understanding, or they knew I wasn't going to accept it, anyway," he told reporters in early March. "It's business. That's how this business works. I'm just focused on getting better. I've got to get minutes. Everything else will take care of itself."

Given his uncertain future, he makes more sense for a team like the Heat or Knicks, who could use him to upgrade their rotation for this season's playoff push. The Pistons would be betting on re-signing him if they were to pull off a swap before the deadline.

Oladipo is worth more than a second-round pick in a vacuum, but his expiring contract and the Rockets' recent struggles—a 20-game losing streak that's dropped them to 11-30—could force the front office to simply accept the best possible offer before the deadline.

The Houston Rockets, who started the season 11-10, have now fallen to 11-30 after losing their 20th straight game following a 114-112 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

Per The Athletic, Houston became the eighth team in NBA history to lose 20 or more straight games. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the all-time losing streak mark at 28, set over the end of the 2014-15 season and the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign.

The 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and 2013-14 Sixers share the single-season record with 26 straight defeats.

It's been a trying season for the Rockets, who ushered in a new era after trading Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards and then James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team deal in January. Houston has had difficulty establishing chemistry or rhythm because of injuries and NBA health and safety protocols.

The Rockets have been forced to suit up 23 players this year, and only one of them (Jae'Sean Tate) has played in every game.

Houston owns the second-worst record in the Western Conference, and at this point, it is merely playing out the string of a lost season. The Rockets will look to get back on track when they host the Toronto Raptors (17-24) on Monday.

The Miami Heat are reportedly the favorites to land Houston Rockets veteran forward P.J. Tucker in a trade, according to Chris Mannix of SI.com. 

Last week, Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported that Tucker would no longer be with the Rockets as the team sought a trade. Per that report, "Tucker has grown increasingly frustrated that he has yet to be moved to a contender and made it clear that he'd prefer to sit out games until the front office finds a deal for him ahead of the March 25 trade deadline."

"We're going to try to figure out something that works for him and works for us as far as him not being on the team anymore," Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said March 11 after a 125-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings. "I was under the assumption that he was going to be playing tonight, and he didn't play. That was disappointing, but there's no secret that it's been a rough year."

Woj and MacMahon noted that the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Heat and Brooklyn Nets were among the teams that had expressed interest in Tucker but that Houston's "preference for a young, productive rotation player in trade talks has been a sticking point with teams, which haven't been willing to part with that kind of an asset for a 35-year-old on an expiring contract."

But Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Monday that the Nets reportedly are "no longer believed to be involved in the Tucker market," likely due to the signing of veteran forward Blake Griffin.

Tucker would make a lot of sense for the Heat, offering them much-needed frontcourt depth behind Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk. The Heat have fantastic depth at guard and on the wing, but the roster thins in the frontcourt. 

Tucker's postseason experience, ability to guard five positions and experience playing small ball from his time with James Harden in Houston would make him a logical fit in Miami. While it's fair to question if Tucker is no longer the same player as he was during Houston's recent peak, it's also been clear he's wanted to move all season and a change of scenery may do him good.

P.J. Tucker may be on his way out of the Houston Rockets organization via a trade. 

The Athletic's Sam Amick reported Monday that "70 percent of the league" has called about Tucker, who left the team on Friday after the two sides agreed to part ways.  

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reinforced Monday that the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams that Houston has gone back and forth with, more than a week after initially reporting that the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets were also "expressing interest." 

Amick said Monday that the Nets and Nuggets "are not expected to still be in pursuit." 

But while the Rockets have received calls, the team has a steep asking price for teams looking to take advantage of the veteran forward's services. Amick said that the Rockets are reportedly "seeking a young impact player" and a first-round pick in exchange for Tucker, who is averaging 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game through 32 starts. He is earning $7.97 million this season. 

The desire for players that can make their presence felt immediately makes sense for Houston. 

Head coach Stephen Silas told reporters Thursday that it was time to "move on," as the team holds the second-worst record in the Western Conference 11-26, having lost 16 games in a row dating back to Feb. 6. 

The trade deadline is the last opportunity for the Rockets to get some major assistance on the court before they can officially hang up the towel on a lost 2020-21 season. 

Houston Rockets point guard John Wall is dealing with a knee injury that is expected to require surgery.   

Per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Wall is "is likely to have his left knee scoped at some point this season" after suffering a contusion during Rockets practice earlier in March.

Haynes did note Wall is expected to return to play "soon" after missing Houston's past three games with the injury.

Wall has appeared in 25 games for the Rockets, seeing his first NBA action since 2018. At 30, he is averaging 21 points, 6.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.

A five-time All-Star with the Washington Wizards, Wall was originally sidelined with a heel injury on Dec. 26, 2018, and did not return until this year after rupturing his Achilles in February 2019. His comeback was delayed even longer when he missed the first two games of the 2020-21 campaign because of the league's health and safety protocols.

He also missed five games in January with knee soreness and missed a pair of outings for rest before another knee issue sidelined him in March.

The fledgling Rockets, who entered the All-Star break on a 13-game losing streak after center Christian Wood suffered an ankle injury, will continue to struggle without Wall, who alongside Victor Oladipo (20.5 points per game) has been Houston's only hope.

Kevin Porter Jr., who was called up from the G League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers to serve as the backup point guard, was thrust into the starting spot in Wall's absence in March, going on to average 17 points and 8.3 assists in the past three games. With Wall out again, he should see a similar role.

The Houston Rockets could deal P.J. Tucker before the March 25 NBA trade deadline, but they are reportedly setting a high asking price for the veteran forward.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Rockets have set a "strong price" for Tucker that includes a "young talented player."

Charania also noted the Brooklyn Nets are "no longer believed to be involved" in pursuit of Tucker after adding Blake Griffin in free agency.

Charania reported last week the Nets were among five playoff contenders interested in Tucker. The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets were the others. 

Tucker's time with the Rockets appears to have come to an end, though it remains to be seen if it will come via trade or buyout. 

Houston head coach Stephen Silas addressed Tucker's status with reporters after a 125-105 loss to the Sacramento Kings on March 11: 

“We’re going to try to figure out something that works for him and works for us as far as him not being on the team anymore. I was under the assumption that he was going to play tonight and he didn’t play. That was disappointing. ... He decided that he was just not really with it, and we decided that that’s a good idea. Let’s move on."

Houston would seem to have its eye on the future after trading James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in January. The Rockets currently have the second-worst record in the Western Conference (11-26) and have lost 16 straight games since Feb. 6. 

Tucker's contract and defensive versatility will likely make him one of the most sought-after players this trade season. The 35-year-old is making $7.97 million this season. He's averaging 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 32 starts with the Rockets. 

Of all the big names around the NBA reportedly on the trading block, Houston Rockets wing Victor Oladipo may be the most likely to switch addresses.

According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, "several executives" around the NBA "believe ... Oladipo could be the biggest name moved by the trade deadline."

Executives who've spoken to Houston added that young center Christian Wood is "the only player on the Rockets that's as close to untouchable as possible."

Oladipo' availability is no surprise. At 28, he isn't exactly on the rebuilding timeline that the Rockets found themselves on after trading James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. And he reportedly already turned down a two-year, $45.2 million maximum contract extension this season, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Woj added that Oladipo is "pursuing a longer-term deal, sources said, something that the collective bargaining agreement doesn't allow the Rockets to offer him until the offseason."

Because he's also in the last year of his contract, the Rockets will want to get some assets for him before he hits free agency. It also means, however, that they are unlikely to command a king's ransom in a deal. 

Oladipo is averaging 20.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 25 total games this season between the Rockets and Indiana Pacers, though he's shooting just 39.6 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three.

He's never quite replicated his excellent 2017-18 season (23.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.3 APG, 2.4 SPG, 47.7 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three) that saw him make an All-Star team and All-NBA Third Team.

Injuries have played a major part, which will be the other worry for teams potentially eying Oladipo. There's the uncertainty of him leaving in free agency, but there are also concerns that the injury bug will bite again. 

Regardless, it seems Houston will test the market with the veteran wing, but it remains to be seen what sort of assets it could get in return.

With the Houston Rockets in the midst of a historic losing streak, the only player they're not open to dealing as the NBA trade deadline approaches is the player whose absence began the downward trend. 

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, center Christian Wood is the only player on the team who is "as close to untouchable as possible" leading up to March 25. 

Wood hasn't played—and the Rockets haven't won—since Feb. 4, when he went down with a right ankle sprain.

Wood was averaging a career-high 22.0 points on 55.8 percent shooting from the field and 42.1 percent from deep, with 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game prior to his injury. John Wall has done his best to lead the team in Wood's absence, with 21.0 points and 6.0 assists per game, while Eric Gordon has tacked on 17.8 points per game.

Demarcus Cousins has stepped up at center, but his production pales in comparison to Wood. In the role, Cousins is averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Houston's woes could end Tuesday, since head coach Stephen Silas said Wood was "coming along" and may be able to return against the Atlanta Hawks (h/t Ben DuBose of Rockets Wire). 

Granted, Wood hasn't been the only problem for the Rockets lately, since they've dealt with injuries to Wall, Gordon and Danuel House Jr. throughout the losing span, which currently ties the second-longest run in franchise history. The Rockets have two games to go before they tie the longest losing streak in franchise history, which dates back to 1968. 

It seems that a Rockets rebuild will be centered around Wood, who joined the group from the Detroit Pistons in a sign-and-trade this offseason. It would provide some stability for the NBA journeyman, a UNLV product who has played for six different teams since he joined the league in 2015. 

The Houston Rockets will be without Eric Gordon for four-to-six weeks because of a moderate groin strain. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news, noting Gordon suffered the injury during Thursday's loss to the Sacramento Kings. Perhaps most notably, Wojnarowski reported "the injury largely assures Gordon will finish the season with Houston" even though he was a potential target at the trade deadline prior to the setback. 

This is yet another obstacle in what has turned into a disastrous season for the Rockets.

It started with the drama surrounding James Harden and whether they would trade him at all. They have now lost 14 games in a row and are nowhere near playoff contention in the daunting Western Conference. Only the 8-29 Minnesota Timberwolves have a worse record than Houston's 11-24 mark out West.

As for Gordon, he is averaging 17.8 points, 2.6 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game behind 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 32.9 percent shooting from three-point range.

He is a playoff-tested veteran who can stretch the floor and play alongside other stars who draw more attention, much like he did when Harden was in Houston.

That would have played nicely for a contender looking for additional offense and shooting at the trade deadline. He is also versatile enough to run the offense as a ball-handler if needed.

While he could have been a serious trade target, it appears as if Gordon will remain with the free-falling Rockets as he recovers from his injury.