3 Rockets-Pistons trades involving Victor Oladipo

Houston Rockets trade #2.

In this trade proposal, the Houston Rockets would take on the salaries of Rodney McGruder and Delon Wright, while also receiving two second-round draft picks, which come in handy down the road. The good thing about McGruder’s contract structure is that the $5 million that he’s slated to receive next season is non-guaranteed fully, so long as he’s waived or traded by July 14th.

Wright is owed $8.5 million next season, which would be the final year on his deal. With Wright being on an expiring deal next season, the Rockets could also use him as a trade target, as a contending team could see him as a valuable add at the deadline.

For the Rockets, the most intriguing part of the deal would be Sekou Doumbouya, the 20-year-old second-year forward. At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds Doumbouya has the ability to be a building block for the future, as evident by his G-League numbers last season.

During that season Doumbouya averaged 17.5 points and 5.4 rebounds, while making 35.6 percent of his threes (on 5.6 attempts). In addition, Doumbouya flashed his talent during the 2018-19 EuroCup, averaging 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Although Doumbouya was selected outside of the 2019 NBA draft lottery, he still has the ability to develop into a valuable contributor, with more playing time. Doumbouya has played just 13 minutes per game this season and played in just 38 of Detroit’s 66 games in 2019-20.

Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas is known as a developmental coach, which would also make acquiring Doumbouya a good move.

Next: No. 1