Houston Rockets shouldn’t consider trading for Trail Blazers forward

Just because the Houston Rockets can take a step forward doesn’t mean they should. The team’s desire to become a title contender and win now is no secret, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

The Rockets are in a unique situation now. Their young core is about seven players deep, with winning-now talent like Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams. They can pair a star with their winning-now core and some young talent to build a team that can contend, or they can get rid of the winning-now talent and turn to youth.

The second option doesn’t seem to be happening in Houston, given their desire to win as quickly as possible. So the only real obstacle to overcome is to turn a blind eye and avoid any short-term decisions that would handicap the team in the long run.

Whether it’s winning now or rebuilding a young team, patience is a virtue. It’s a key element for any team in any scenario, allowing them to make smart decisions. That’s why the Rockets should avoid trading for Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.

Grant is on the verge of becoming a star player. He has averaged 20 points per game or more in each of his last four seasons. However, he was given a huge contract last season because the Trail Blazers were eager to get Damian Lillard back, who had been traded by the franchise anyway.

The 30-year-old forward will command a big payday over the next three years. Even if that weren’t the case, Grant doesn’t have the status of Brandon Ingram, another potential target for the Rockets. They also have superstars like Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler in their sights.

Ingram, Durant, and Butler are all movers, but Grant is not. If Houston can’t trade for any of the three players mentioned above, they’re better off sitting back for now. A star or superstar on offense will become available in due time, and Houston can then make a move rather than rushing into a move like trading for Grant that doesn’t elevate the team to a high enough level.

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