Why the Houston Rockets would do this trade for P.J. Tucker:
On the surface, for a Houston Rockets fan, it might not seem like they are getting much in return. Devontae Cacok is not a player that is well known outside of Los Angeles and second-round picks are not the most desirable thing.
However, as mentioned, the Rockets are not going to warrant that great of a return for half a season of Tucker, especially considering he has taken a step back this season in his production for Houston.
Cacok is absolutely a player that the Rockets should value in a trade for Tucker. He is a promising big and with the team wanting to go smaller with Christian Wood and parting ways with DeMarcus Cousins, adding a young, depth center is absolutely something that should intrigue Houston.
This is similar to trades the Lakers have made before. The team traded Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a second-round pick for half a season of Reggie Bullock two seasons ago. Like Cacok, Svi was a promising young talent.
The Lakers’ eye for talent and player development is fantastic so the Rockets can feel confident in Cacok as a player. As for all the other assets, they are simply in the trade to make it work financially.
But as mentioned, that gives the Rockets more ammo to trade. Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie likely won’t warrant much in a trade, but Morris absolutely can get Houston another second-round pick and McKinnie is young and could give the team more young depth.
Now what about the Los Angeles Lakers? Is P.J. Tucker really worth it?