The Top-5 Houston Rockets based on their trade value

Houston Rockets Trade Value #4: Jae’Sean Tate

Jae’Sean Tate has been one of the league’s most impressive rookies. He is top-10, among rookies, in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and assists. If he had been drafted with a top-five pick the Rockets would be ecstatic with that production.

Tate’s rise from undrafted in 2018 to an NBA starter has been one of the best stories of the season. However, your trade value doesn’t care where you were drafted or how you made it to the league, all it cares about is what you do on the court and for how much.

The greatest reason why Tate ranks so high in trade value is that he is on a fantastic contract. For the 2020-21 season, Tate will earn $1.4 million of which only $500,000 is guaranteed. In 2021-22, Tate is under contract for a non-guaranteed $1.5 million and 2022-23 is a team-option for $1.7 million.

Tate’s contract has absolutely no risk for the team that trades for him. If he’s bad he can be released and the money is off the books and, because he’s making so little, he’d have to be actively scoring baskets for the other team to warrant moving on from him.

A player who can play high-level defense across multiple positions and is elite around the rim is an incredibly valuable player. On the open market, Tate would be able to earn between $24 and $32 million over three-years from what he’s shown in his first 25 games.

The Rockets struck gold when they decided to sign Tate and the risk they took on him has already been paid back. Any contender would easily give up a first-round pick if not a little more to bring Tate in for the next two seasons. Tate’s not a superstar but he makes affording one much easier, which is worth a lot nowadays.

Next: #3