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

1. Pistons land Monte Morris from Wizards in exchange for second-round pick

The Washington Wizards entered the 2023 offseason with a dire need to rebuild. The Wizards dealt Kristaps Porzingis, who had a career year in 2022-23 (23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 38.5 percent from deep, 49.8 percent from the floor) to the Boston Celtics in a three-team trade, which was the start of their tear down.

The Wizards then decided to trade three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal (although possibly two years too late), sending Beal to the Phoenix Suns. The next piece to go in the Wizards' firesale was point guard Monte Morris, who averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 38.9 percent from deep.

Many Rockets fans hoped the franchise would go after the 28-year-old Morris, as the Rockets made it clear that they were looking for a point guard. The Detroit Pistons ultimately sent Washington a 2027 second-round pick, which will be the more favorable of the picks between the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks.

In Morris, the Pistons land a solid backup veteran who plays his role, which will be to spread the floor off the bench behind Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. In addition, Morris is a solid defender who shoots 39 percent from long-range over his career. 

This is one of the better examples of the value of a second-round draft pick.