Why Rockets GM Rafael Stone deserves both grace and scrutiny for the Hawks trade

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Houston Rockets made a surprise trade that left many within the fanbase wondering what was next to come. The Rockets parted ways with 2021 first round pick Usman Garuba and 2022 first-round pick TyTy Washington on the second day of the NBA’s free agency period.

When the trade was announced, it simply stated that the Rockets were dealing Washington, Garuba, and additional draft compensation to the Atlanta Hawks, leading many to believe the Rockets were possibly on the cusp of adding former Rockets big man Clint Capela.

Why Rockets GM Rafael Stone deserves both grace and scrutiny

This seemed even more logical since it was known that the Rockets were seeking Brook Lopez, who was one of their top free agent targets, along with Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, both of whom they nabbed. Lopez had already been snagged up by the Milwaukee Bucks, who were able to retain a key piece of their 2021 championship team.

The Rockets walked away empty-handed from their deal with the Hawks, which has drawn a wide variety of reactions from many within the fanbase. But the truth is simple: Rockets GM Rafael Stone deserves both grace and scrutiny, simultaneously.

Both can be true. Sure, it can be fun to debate which is more deserving, but it doesn’t always have to be one thing or the other.

I’ll explain why Stone deserves both for the Hawks trade fiasco.

Let’s start with the positives.