Houston Rockets Land Star Wing in Shocking Proposal

We don’t like to be rude!

This has been a pattern here at SpaceCityScoop lately. We don’t like to argue – but other publications keep giving us arguments.

Recently, FadeAwayWorld was the culprit. They just proposed a trade that would send Paul George to the Houston Rockets. Spoiler alert:

We don’t like it at all.

Paul George is a very good player. He is a 3-D wing archetype who can create his own shots with great efficiency.

He is also 34 years old. George is also in decline. In 2023-24, he posted a Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of 3.2. In 2022-23, it was 2.8. Otherwise, it was his lowest mark since 2017-18.

Here’s another fact about George: His Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated in the first round this year. Sure, Kawhi Leonard was injured, but George had James Harden by his side.

Theoretically, these would be the Rockets’ two best players. So the question becomes: How much does George raise the Rockets’ ceiling once they pair him with Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green?

Did FadeAwayWorld watch Amen Thompson as a rookie?

He showed unlimited potential. Giving up on him after his rookie season only to bring in an aging veteran shouldn’t be a departure for the Rockets.

Meanwhile, Jabari Smith Jr. also took a big step forward this year. He still has a lot of work to refine, but he’s on the right track. Finally, the Rockets could bolster their young core with the third overall pick.

Yes, this deal would make the Rockets slightly better in 2024-25. In doing so, they are mortgaging their future too much. Is this even defensible?

We don’t want to call FadeAwayWorld the Princes of Darkness. It’s a turn of phrase:

We’re going to play Devil’s Advocate.

There are real questions about Thompson and Smith Jr. Thompson can’t shoot and his handle is shaky. If he can’t improve in at least one – if not both – of these areas, he may never be a primary ball handler.

Smith Jr. has his own warts. Its self-creation is limited. If he’s strictly a 3-and-D wing, he should be expendable to the Rockets.

Additionally, it is a weak project. Not a particularly strong 3rd overall pick. Ultimately, the Rockets could be giving up three future role players for one star here. George’s presence should help improve the play of Sengun, Green and Cam Whitmore.

Have we just convinced ourselves of this agreement?

No.

There are myriad potential outcomes for Thompson and Smith Jr. Some of them involve multiple All-NBA appearances. The Rockets need to explore these options a little more.

Unless the lucky star is available, of course. George is not that guy. He’s not in the top 10. Why would the Rockets weaken their collection of young talent and hinder their ability to trade for a player of this caliber down the line?

Acquiring Paul George would bring the Rockets half a step closer to the title race. They would still be several steps away from this mark. The best option is to hang on to their guys, barring the availability of an MVP candidate.

This is our argument and we stand by it.

Grade: D