1 Superstar trade target the Rockets should avoid at all costs

The Houston Rockets could trade for a superstar. How many articles have we started with that sentence?

We suspect that whatever that amount is, we'll double it before this year's trade deadline. The Rockets are a constant source of trade rumors. Some of those rumors are more reasonable than others.

This will be a pivotal decision for this franchise. They cannot afford to get it wrong. If (when?) they trade for a star player, they need to ensure that he fits with the players they're retaining.

One recent proposal has them acquiring a player who we don't consider the right fit.

Rockets land star guard in new proposal

The Wrightway Sports Network has the Rockets making a move for Trae Young.

The article compares a Young / Alperen Sengun pairing with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. There's some validity in that comparison. Even if Sengun is unlikely to reach the former MVP's level, Young is a more dynamic offensive player than Murray.

Still, the offensive comparison is imperfect. Murray is more of a shot-creator, whereas Young is more ball-dominant. There may be diminishing returns between Sengun and Young that are less prevalent between Jokic and Murray.

That said, that's far from our most pressing concern about this prospective duo.

The Rockets shouldn't stray from their defensive identity

Have you been watching the Hawks for the past few years?

Virtually every roster decision they've made has been intended to protect Trae Young as a defender. Granted, he's improved. Young's effort has been notably better of late.

He remains one of the smallest guards in the NBA. It wouldn't matter if you successfully swapped Young's brain for Gary Payton's - he'd still be exploited in some situations on defense.

That's not to say it's not worth rostering Young. He's one of the league's most prolific playmakers. Young virtually assures your team will have a strong offense. He just needs the right pieces around him.

Pieces like, for example, a steady rim protector. A big man who can control the paint and who also has the mobility to survive in space when needed would be a perfect compliment to Young.

That's where we worry about Sengun and Young.

Like Young, Sengun has defensive limitations. Also like Young, those limitations can be worked around. Unfortunately, working around their combined limitations would likely be too tall of a task for even Ime Udoka.

Luckily, we suspect the Rockets' head coach would feel the same way. Udoka would likely veto this acquisition. The Rockets may trade for a star, but it needs to be the right star:

Trae Young is not the guy for them.