7 recent events that show Rockets need a wake-up call

7. Clippers land KJ Martin from Rockets for multiple second-round picks

Let's start directly with the trade that involves the Rockets - the deal in which the LA Clippers landed Kenyon Martin Jr. in exchange for two second-round picks (which accounts for two-thirds of the Rockets' acquired second-round picks throughout the entire offseason).

In Martin, the Clippers land a young, athletic forward who presents a great lob threat for Russell Westbrook (and possibly James Harden, depending on what happens in Philadelphia). Martin has arguably not reached his full potential, which is encouraging for the Clippers, as he still managed to average 12.7 points on 56.9 percent from the floor, while also nabbing 5.5 rebounds per contest just last season.

Martin is capable of shooting from deep, as he made 36 percent of his 3-point attempts in his first two seasons combined, but he will need to be more consistent, as he made just 31.5 percent of his treys in 2022-23. Martin will also bring energy off the second unit and has shown the ability to channel his athleticism on the defensive end to block shots.

Rockets fans know exactly what the 22-year-old KJ Martin brings to the table, as many of them would have preferred him over Jae'Sean Tate, who the Rockets opted to keep. For the Clippers, who are in win-now mode due to the star duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George perhaps being in the tail end of their prime, adding Martin with two second-round picks is great value.

Martin brings an exuberance of youth to the forward position for the Clippers and could easily be the most athletic player on the entire Clippers roster. 

All for the cost of two seconds.