Houston Rockets linked to Marcus Smart in recent rumors

We can’t wait for draft night.

The Houston Rockets have been the subject of so…a lot…speculation. At this point, we just need the draft to happen. The rumor mill spins relentlessly.

It also means rehashing certain concepts. We previously discussed the rumor that the Rockets could acquire Marcus Smart from the Grizzlies on draft night.

Today, these rumors are resurfacing.

This shouldn’t shock anyone.

Udoka is a notoriously defensive trainer. Smart was the first guard to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton. Additionally, Udoka coached Smart when he was with the Celtics.

Udoka didn’t come to Houston to oversee a long-term rebuild. He joined them to take them into their next phase of competitive basketball. Acquiring Smart would likely make the Rockets a better team.

Does that mean (if you’ll pardon the pun) that this would be a smart move?

We have already covered this topic. Let’s quickly rehash the details. If the Rockets traded for Smart, they would likely send the Grizzlies the third pick and receive their ninth pick in return.

There are at least two valid concerns regarding the Smart acquisition. The first is simple. Smart is a bad shooter and the Rockets are a bad shooting team.

At some point, the Rockets have to fix this, right? Establishing a defensive culture has always been a wise decision. Now that the culture is established, the Rockets must address the most pressing issue regarding their roster.

More broadly, moving from the third to the ninth pick just to pick Smart could be considered short-sighted. Where does Marcus Smart find this team? The Rockets won’t be in contention for an NBA title until Smart, 30, hits his prime.

That’s not to say the Rockets couldn’t justify a trade for Smart. They simply should not jeopardize their future. If there is a prospect that might be available with the Grizzlies’ 9th pick and he likes as much as anyone could find a third, that could be a good deal.

After all, there is value in improving yourself. Smart may not be an optimal fit with this roster, but he will make the Rockets better. This will make them more attractive to the league’s stars. Improving for the sake of improving is worth considering:

We’ll see what the Rockets do on draft night.