4 Players the Rockets should move in a consolidation trade

The Houston Rockets have a "core seven". That's seven recent first-round picks they can choose to build around. If they use both of their picks in next year's draft, it'll be a core nine.

If you're even loosely familiar with the mechanisms of the NBA's salary cap, you know that isn't sustainable.

It's over half of the roster. In time, the Rockets will likely need to nail down a core three and surround those stars with complimentary role players. A consolidation trade is inevitable.

Here are four players we think they should include in that inevitable deal.

1. Jock Landale

The 2023-24 season was a confusing one for Landale. For much of the season, he looked unplayable. It wasn't clear whether Landale was an NBA-caliber player.

As the year progressed, we gained some clarity. It became obvious that Landale had been impacted by an ankle injury. As he rounded into form, he established himself as a productive NBA player. Does that mean he belongs on the Rockets?

We're not sure. We'll say this much - if Steven Adams is healthy, Landale doesn't belong ahead of him in the rotation. So, the Rockets have a third-string big man who could serve as a primary backup on some teams. A squad like the Nuggets or Sixers who intend on keeping their starting big on the floor as often as possible could be interested in Landale.

2. Jae'Sean Tate

Few NBA players work harder than Tate. It pains us to suggest that he should be traded so often. Yet...here we are. Again.

It's just that pesky 30.6% career three-point percentage. Tate is a poor shooter. Every summer, we hear rumors that he's been working on his form. We're sure he is, but the results never seem to show on the court.

A team with better spacing could make great use of Tate. He guards multiple positions, and he can make a play on the ball. Offensively, Tate is capable of getting to the rim, and he has good passing instincts.

That's fine, but the Rockets have several players who can score inside and shoot. They need players for those players to pass to who can connect on open threes. Tate would be better served on a team that counts shooting as a strength.

3. Cam Whitmore

You were expecting veterans only?

That would be the easy way out. Nobody would be upset about this article if we just rattled off a list of inconsequential, aging role players. Unfortunately, we are beholden to the truth here at SpaceCityScoop.

The truth is, we're not sure how Whitmore will factor into this team's plans. The rotation is already crowded. If Reed Sheppard makes good on his potential, the Rockets may find themselves shifting Amen Thompson to the 3 on a full-time basis.

We could have just as easily named Jalen Green here. Who knows? Green may be the outgoing piece that brings in a superstar. That said, teams could be deterred by his large sample size of inefficient basketball. Green is also due for a rookie extension soon. With those combined factors, he won't have Whitmore's trade value.

Recall the beginning of this piece. The Rockets can't keep everyone. With Thompson's potential, the portability of Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, and Green's low trade value, Whitmore could be the odd man out.

4. Dillon Brooks

Call this one wishful thinking.

Sure, the Rockets "should" include Brooks in a consolidation trade. With Fred VanVleet's team option in mind, Brooks' deal is the only one on Houston's ledger that could be seen as a negative asset in an open market.

That said, in this economy, it's not a prohibitively expensive asset either. Brooks' deal has an average annual value of $21.5 million. It also descends in cost every year. This isn't a great deal, but it shouldn't be impossible to move.

Think about it. If a team is trading a superstar, they know they're rebuilding. Taking on bad contracts for additional assets is an attractive option in that scenario. An offer built around Brooks, Landale, Tate, Whitmore, and all of the draft capital that's necessary should be compelling for a team moving a star.

It'll help the Rockets whittle down their core in the process.