One NBA writer is proposing that the Houston Rockets acquire Marcus Smart from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Rockets and Grizzlies:
Houston Rockets Receive: Marcus Smart
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate, Brooklyn’s 2024 second-round pick, Brooklyn’s 2026 first-round pick (top-four protection)
Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, so many people around the NBA believe Memphis should trade Smart and get assets in return for the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Since Smart played for Rockets head coach Ime Udoka on the Boston Celtics, Favale thinks Houston should pursue a trade for the veteran.
“Houston can run out a five-man lineup of Şengün, Smart, Smith, VanVleet and Dillon Brooks,” Favale wrote. “Honest question: Who’s scoring on that group? Reuniting Smart with head coach Ime Udoka is at least a slight bonus here. The Rockets have focused on reinventing the basketball culture, and Smart is nothing if not another injection of locker room lifeblood.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets Updates
Smart is averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.1 steals and 0.3 blocks this season while shooting 43.0% from the field, 31.3% from beyond the arc and 76.8% from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma State product is making $18.6 million.
The Rockets, who are in eighth place in the Western Conference standings, could start Fred VanVleet, Smart, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun if this trade idea happened.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets Updates
One of the top defenders in the NBA, Smart has career averages of 10.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Celtics and Grizzlies. He has made three All-Defensive teams and Udoka loved coaching him in Boston.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
