The case for and against the Rockets trading Steven Adams this year

If we were going to describe the current Houston Rockets with one word, we may use "flexibility".

Sure, "young" is an option. So is "intriguing". Still, this team is defined by their optionality above all else. The Rockets have a surplus of assets and young players they could trade. Alternatively, they could hang onto everything they've got and try to develop this squad internally.

Given their directional uncertainty, no player is necessarily "safe". Any of the young guys could get moved if the Rockets want to pivot toward the present. Any of the veterans could get moved if the front office wants to clear the runway for their young players.

Steven Adams is no exception. Sure, the Rockets just acquired him. It may feel premature to think about moving him already.

It isn't. Adams is on an expiring deal. There's no assurance that he's part of the team's future.

Could the Rockets really move him by this year's deadline?

The case for trading Steven Adams

Everything depends on what direction this team is heading in.

If they're building around Alperen Sengun, Adams becomes superfluous in the short term. He's an overqualified backup. Adams isn't someone who could start for all 30 teams, but he's starting caliber. His ideal role probably has him finding 20 minutes per game on a team that's using a platoon at the 5 spot.

That won't be his role in Houston. With Sengun entrenched as the starter, and the Rockets finding success with Jabari Smith Jr. at the 5 last year, Adams will be lucky to find 14 minutes a night.

If you've got a nice car that's parked in your garage because you drive a nicer one, it would make sense to sell that car. The Rockets sent four second-round picks to the Grizzlies for Adams. If they can surplus value from a contender in need of a big man, it could be worth moving Adams before his deal expires next summer.

Is that the move?

The case against trading Steven Adams

Luxury is nice, isn't it?

Sure, a healthy Adams is too good to play fewer than 20 minutes a night. If he's OK with his role, who cares? The Rockets should be happy to have an overqualified backup on the floor for as long as they can. That will mean 48 minutes of quality center play in every contest.

Besides - we don't know if the Rockets are building around Sengun. Don't shoot the messenger, but he hasn't been extended yet. If the Rockets wanted to move him in a deal for an established superstar, Adams is the perfect starting big for a team that's getting playmaking in the backcourt.

His infamously strong screens create an ocean of space for a ball-handler to operate. His offensive rebounding gives his team invaluable extra kicks at the can. Depending on how the Rockets want to build this team, Adams could be a missing piece that helps launch them into title contention.

Moreover, it's always nice to have an insurance policy. Sengun got hurt last year. If that happens again, having a borderline starter waiting to replace him becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

Can the Rockets afford to trade him?

Verdict: Rockets should weigh their options

We're going to cop out.

It depends on how the season is going. If Sengun improves his shooting and/or defense, he'll become entrenched as a building block for this team.

In that event, it would be sensible to move Adams if the Rockets can get more for him than they gave up. That's just sound asset management. Still, the Rockets shouldn't be viewing this strictly as a short-term partnership.

They should be keeping an eye on net ratings. If Houston finds that Amen Thompson and Jalen Green perform better when sharing the floor with Adams, that could influence them to make a difficult decision regarding Sengun. All we can confidently say is that the first half of this season could be instrumental in defining the next several years of Rockets basketball.

We'll see if Adams is part of them.