Houston Rockets veteran forward Jae’Sean Tate reportedly has drawn the attention of a few NBA teams in recent trade discussions. Do the Rockets need to make a trade?
After reports that Houston was not interested in making a trade at this point, the Rockets were immediately linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo if Milwaukee decided to part ways with the Greek Freak. More recently, the Rockets have been linked to Jimmy Butler—as has everyone else in the league, at least it seems.
A Pair Of Western Conference Title Hopefuls Named As Possible Destinations For Houston Rocket
Houston appears to have rightened the ship. Since starting the season at 5-4, the Rockets have won 14 of their last 19, including two in a row. The Rockets sit in third place in the Western Conference, heading into Monday’s game at Charlotte, at 19-9 following a 114-110 comeback victory over Toronto. Dillon Brooks scored 27 points, and Jalen Green added 22 for the winners.
Houston has the fourth fewest losses, tied with Memphis, and the roster is littered with talent—including eight who are 23 or younger. The Rockets have been relatively healthy and are one of the best defensive squads in the Association. But they are far from a perfect squad.
Over the last 19 contests, Houston has been the top-rated defensive team with a rating of 103.9 and the best-rebounding team in the league. However, the Rockets have only been average on the offensive end this season and slightly worse during this recent stretch.
Houston’s biggest issue is that the Rockets are not a good shooting team. They rank in the bottom five of the league in field goal and 3-point shooting. The Rockets don’t get many easy shots in transition and are a below-average team around the rim. They also don’t have many shot creators and habitually take bad shots.
Still, Houston appears to be a playoff team. The Rockets are 7-3 in their last 10. They have the sixth-best scoring margin in the league and are 4.5 games clear of 10th place in the conference.
Jae’Sean Tate Available?
Houston has been excellent at the Toyota Center and very good on the road. Seven of the Rockets’ (19 games) nine losses have been against West teams (+4.9 scoring margin). As expected and perhaps a little troubling, the better the competition, the more the Rockets struggle. They are 8-6 against potential playoff teams (+3.0 scoring margin), including 6-5 with a +1.2 scoring margin against the top-8 Western Conference squads.
Yes, the Rockets probably do need to make a move. But will a major move make the Rockets a bigger threat in the extremely competitive Western Conference versus highly experienced teams?
Houston has an open roster spot on its 15-man roster. The Rockets are well below the luxury tax and are over $15 million clear of the first tax apron, where they are handicapped. The problem is the Rockets have a different salary scenario next season, as 11 players account for over $188 million of salary—which is $34 million over the projected cap, though there is some flexibility.
It is possible that the Rockets will make a small, minor move or two. That makes sense, as coach Ime Udoka is only using a nine-man rotation on most days. Udoka is able to institute a playoff rotation during non-playoff times due to all of his starters being capable of handling at least 30 minutes a game. Also, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are very versatile.
Reed Sheppard, Fred VanVleet‘s understudy, is the only other reserve who is averaging at least 11 minutes a game. It appears that Udoka has confidence in Steven Adams, though the 31-year-old averages 10 minutes in 15 appearances. Most of Adams’ absences have been due to his inactivity, but he has received three DNPs.
Where Could Tate Land?
Aaron Holiday and Jock Landale has seen about 10 minutes in their respective 17 and 16 appearances this season. Meanwhile, Tate has totally fallen out of favor. After being a major part of the Rockets rotation in his first three seasons with the organization, the 6-4 undersized forward saw his role cut last year. Now, the 29-year-old is regulated to proverbial garbage time, as he has seen just 76 minutes in 12 contests.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic said last month that a few teams inquired about Tate.
According to league and team sources, a few teams inquired about Tate’s availability last week, offering similar salary — but the Rockets would prefer to get back second-round picks.
Recently, Iko added to his statement about Tate that Denver and Phoenix are two possible destinations for him.
Deals rarely get done months before the trade deadline and as it pertains to Adams, I’d probably put Jock Landale as likelier to get moved if push came to shove (I don’t think he’s getting moved, for what it’s worth.) For Tate, I would circle teams such as Denver and Phoenix. I think both could use an extra pair of defensive hands. Tate, who has been relegated to the bench for the majority of the season, is still a versatile, switchable option when called upon. I also think his price wouldn’t be high, possibly a second-round pick or two.
Tate is making $7.5 million this year. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
Are The Nuggets and Suns Viable Options?
Here is the problem with Iko’s assessment of the Nuggets and Suns: based on his previous report that the Rockets prefer future draft picks, Phoenix has an open roster spot, but the Suns are way over the second apron. Therefore, the Suns can’t take on more salary than they send out and are also forbidden to aggregate salaries.
Meanwhile, Denver would have to cut a player or make a corresponding trade to make room for Tate, as the Nuggets have 15 players on standard deals. The Nuggets are also hard-capped at the second apron, meaning they can’t take on more than $5.15 million in extra salary.
Therefore, Denver wouldn’t be able to do a one-for-one deal (like Vlatkor Cancar) unless they get a little bit creative. A trade of Zeke Nnaji, who makes more than Tate, would work, but I’m not sure that either squad would be willing to do the deal. Nnaji just signed an extension and is just 23 years old.
One option for Phoenix and Houston that could make sense for both teams is for the Suns to send Josh Okogie and a 2026 second-round pick. Okogie has not been part of the Suns’ rotation when they are completely healthy, though the athletic 26-year-old has been productive when given the chance. Okogie makes a little more than Tate and has another year on his deal.
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