The Houston Rockets could be blown up this season and the Los Angeles Lakers could benefit from it.
The Los Angeles Lakers had to get creative and go through the micro ball Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs. The Lakers did just that with a gentleman’s sweep over the Rockets that essentially killed the micro ball Rockets.
President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey parted ways with the team and has since taken up the same job with the Philadelphia 76ers. Mike D’Antoni is now an assistant coach under Steve Nash in Brooklyn. Reports of Russell Westbrook wanting out of Houston surfaced, and now, it seems unlikely that James Harden will finish out the season as a Rocket.
Despite Houston’s efforts to improve the team over the offseason and convince Harden to saty, Harden is still requesting a trade, naming four teams on his “preferred destinations” list — the Nets, 76ers, Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks.
One team with his former coach, another with his former President of Basketball Operations, who traded for him and has a good relationship with. The other two have the best player in basketball and are the defending Eastern Conference Champions.
Only time will tell if Harden is indeed traded and where he is traded to. If he is eventually dealt, though, there is a good chance that Houston looks to move on from some of their other assets. If so, here are two Rockets players that would be worth targeting for the Los Angeles Lakers.