Houston Rockets: 3 trade deadline do’s and don’ts

Houston Rockets trade deadline do #1: Trade Victor Oladipo

From the moment the Rockets acquired Victor Oladipo it looked like they were going to trade him, but as it stands that hasn’t happened yet. Oladipo isn’t the player he once was and his salary of $21 million outstrips the production he’s shown this season.

Oladipo has shot poorly this season in Houston and his defense has slipped from when he was an All-Defensive team player. He has value as a third or fourth option on a good team, but most contenders aren’t in a salary cap position to add a $21 million fourth option, no matter how good a fit it is.

The Rockets likely wanted multiple first-round picks for Oladipo but they need to bite the bullet and move him now. If Oladipo isn’t moved, the Rockets run the risk that he turns it around and helps them move out of the top of the draft.

The other concern is if Oladipo continues to play poorly he won’t have much of a sign and trade market and the Rockets could end up losing him for nothing. If all the Rockets can get for Oladipo is a highly protected first-round pick then that’s what they should do.

Oladipo hasn’t worked in Houston and holding out hope that a better offer materializes in the offseason through a sign and trade is a pipedream. The Rockets would have better off taking Caris LeVert, but hindsight is always 20/20.

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