The Rockets are trying to take a big swing. Let’s hope they miss.
In some “Oh, god, please no” news of the day, according to Hoops Hype, the Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in trading for Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers. Michael Scotto is saying the Rockets have tried to facilitate that deal, with George looking to pick up his $48.8 million player option in order to make the trade happen, but thankfully sources are also saying the deal is looking “unlikely” despite Houston’s interest.
The Houston Rockets are big game hunting, and one of the many notable names on their radar is Paul George, league sources told HoopsHype. George could potentially exercise his $48.8 million player option to facilitate a trade to his next destination, but currently, the chances of Houston landing George are unlikely, sources said.
Houston has also had exploratory conversations about trading their No. 3 overall pick in a package for a win-now player upgrade and potentially moving back in the draft, league sources said.
George is coming off of a season in which he played in 74 games and averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from deep, which are all fantastic numbers, and he also made the All-Star game.
However, the 34-year-old forward is on the downside of his career and had trouble staying healthy in his prime. Despite a mostly healthy 2023-2024, prior to that, George played in 56, 31, 54 and 48 games respectively over the previous four seasons. I don’t trust George will stay healthy, and jeopardzing the development of Houston’s young core for an aging, injury-prone forward on the back half of his career is not my idea of a prudent move for GM Rafael Stone. I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in a big name, but it’d have to be someone younger than George for me to be behind it.
Hoops Hype also mentions the Rockets shopping the number three pick in this week’s 2024 NBA Draft, which isn’t news to anyone here at TDS, but certainly another affirmation of the rumors we’ve been all hearing so far.
I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see the Rockets make a trade, just as long as it’s not for George.