Rockets: 3 trades to send P.J. Tucker to the Lakers

1. Houston Rockets receive Harrell, Matthews, draft capital

In this trade, the Houston Rockets receive the aforementioned Harrell and Wes Matthews, the latter of which would yield a second-round draft pick, for the Rockets having to take on Matthews’ contract, only to buy him out. The Rockets would send the Lakers the quintessential 3-and-D forward in Tucker, but would also include another young asset in Danuel House.

House, who is 6-foot-7, has proven his value as a utility player that can shoot threes and be a positive on the defensive end. House had made roughly 37 percent of his threes with the Rockets and led the team in 3-point shooting efficiency in 2018-19, hitting 41.6 percent of his treys.

House’s shooting would help the Lakers immensely, as they rank just 24th in 3-point shooting, at a clip of 35.1 percent. House is also under contract through next season, at a very friendly number of $3.8 million.

The Rockets would receive a future 2nd-round pick for getting rid of House with a year left on his deal, which is likely what they would get back for the 27-year-old forward elsewhere. For the Rockets, acquiring Harrell and multiple second-round picks would be a fair return for Tucker and House, who don’t fit into the Rockets’ long-term plans.