Why the Trade Benefits the Houston Rockets

If the Houston Rockets are willing to send away both Russell Westbrook and Harden, then it is clear that they are interested in rebuilding. With Stephen Silas on the sideline and a new-look front office, this is a team that is clearly heading in a different direction.

This is a trade that jumpstarts the rebuild. Their main return will come from Brooklyn, if they decide to make a trade for Harden. In this deal, the Rockets can add another first-round pick, which will be valuable in the future.

Randle is a quality big man and Smith Jr. can be a bench piece, but should not take over the starting job in Houston. Overall, these are solid pieces for a team that could be headed for a rebuild.

This is a move for the future. The Harden-Westbrook experiment did not work and it will not in the future. When it comes to rebuilding, it is important to dump salary and get back assets. That is what they are doing in this deal.