The Rockets are facing the KD trading problem after the double happiness is over, and whether to change it to the focus of hot discussion

The Houston Rockets have indeed taken a key step in their rise this season. The regular season has 52 wins and 30 losses, and the record of the West is nowhere to be imagined in the previous few seasons. I remember the last time they played second in the Western Conference or led by Harden and Paul, when the playoffs went further, but it was really surprising that this young team can compete with the Warriors in tiebreak. In the last few minutes of the tiebreak battle, I watched the live broadcast throughout the whole time. Although I lost, Green's goal dunk Thompson and Smith's three-point attempt at the last moment can all show the team's bloodiness. After losing, I was deeply impressed by what the head coach said in an interview. He said, "We are not here to go through the motions. These losses will make us more clear about where we need to change." Indeed, the problem of inside basket protection exposed in the playoffs and the problem of single scoring points at critical moments must be solved during the offseason.

Let's talk about Adams' contract renewal first. When I first heard that when I was 39 million in three years, my first reaction was that "the Rockets management is very good at calculating the accounts this time." Look at his regular season data, he scored 3.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in 13 minutes. At first glance, it doesn’t seem very good, but he has 2.9 rebounds in the frontcourt, which is very exaggerated. It is equivalent to every 13 minutes of playing, he can grab nearly 3 frontcourt boards in the opponent's penalty area. In the playoffs, he averaged 5.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 22 minutes, with a shooting percentage of 60%, especially in the G6 game. He grabbed three key frontcourt rebounds in the last quarter, resuming the Rockets' life. I have a friend who works on an NBA data website and told me that centers like Adams are really scarce in the league now. In the small ball era, everyone pursues speed, but a blue-collar center like him who can get a position, grab the board, and do not take up the ball rights is too important for young teams. And look at the Suns, after Ayton was gone last season, the inside rebounds were blown up. The Lakers and the Knicks are all staring at him. The market price could have reached 45 million in four years, and the Rockets could have won it for 39 million in three years, or a contract with annual salary reduction, 13 million in the second year, and 11.87 million in the third year, and this salary structure is too reasonable. Adams himself probably wants to stay with the Rockets, after all, he plays comfortably here, and the team is willing to give him a chance. I went to see the ins he posted after renewing his contract, and I accompanied him with a few photos of him playing in the Rockets. The copywriting was written with a sincere heart, "Grateful and accompanying you all the way", and I felt that I really regarded Houston as my home.

Let's talk about Van Jordan giving up the player option, I think it's a bit like a typical case of "win-win". His regular season data this season is 14.1 points and 5.6 assists, which looks pretty good, but the playoffs suddenly broke out, averaging 18.7 points per game and a three-point shooting percentage of 43.5%. In the last moment of the G5 game, he overtook the score for two consecutive three-pointers. At that time, I thought this guy could really take care of it. His style of play is particularly suitable for the Rockets. He does not occupy the ball rights and is never vague when it is time to pass the ball. When a young player breaks through, he can open up space outside and hold the ball himself to solve the problem at critical moments. I remember there was a regular season game. In the last few seconds of overtime, Green broke through and was double-teamed. The ball was passed to Van Jordan. He didn't hesitate to directly pull out three-pointers. After the ball entered, his celebration was particularly domineering. Now he has given up the player option of 44.79 million and wants to sign a four-year, long-term contract of about 90 million. On the surface, the average annual salary has been reduced, but the amount of guarantee has been greater. For the Rockets, this will spread the salary pressure over the next few years, and the money saved now can be used to operate other transactions. Moreover, Van Jordan is already 31 years old, and it is safer for him to have a long appointment. If he gets injured one year, it is confidence to guarantee the contract. I think his chemistry with the Rockets is really good. He often brings young people to practice together in the locker room. Sometimes the data of this veteran is really not reflected.

After the double happiness came, KD trading became the focus. To be honest, I had a premonition before that Durant wanted to go to the Rockets. When he applied for a deal last year, he told the management that he wanted to have a young core team. The Rockets have chosen Green, Smith, and Shin Kyung in recent years are all potential stocks, which just meet his requirements. But the Suns' asking price is too harsh. Shin Kyung or Green, plus Jabbarry Smith Jr., will have three more first-round picks. This is equivalent to dismantling the Rockets' core framework for the next few years and replacing it with a 36-year-old Durant. I have a colleague who is a Rockets fan. He told me: "Durant is strong, but we have trained young people for so many years. It's too risky to change them." Indeed, General Manager Stone's attitude this time is very clear and he can't overdraw the future for the current results. Look at the Thunder traded Harden in order to save millions, but he regretted it for many years. The Rockets' situation is different now. They have patience and salary space, so they can talk about it slowly. Moreover, in addition to the Rockets, the Spurs and the Heat are also chasing Durant, which is also an advantage for the Rockets, at least there is no need to rush to make a decision. But then again, if a player of Durant level can join, he will definitely improve the team's strength, but the cost is too high. Whether it is worth it or not has to be considered carefully.

Finally, let's summarize. The Rockets started a good start this offseason, and renewed Adams and Van Jordan to stabilize the basic market, but the KD trading is the moment that really tests the wisdom of the management. On the one hand, there is the temptation to improve combat power, and on the other hand, there is consideration of protecting young assets. How to make a choice is controversial. Just like a local friend in Houston said: "Rockets are now standing at an intersection. Going to the left is a crash course, and going to the right is a slow lane. The key is whether the management dares to gamble." What do you think? If it were you, would you be willing to exchange a few young players with draft picks for Durant?