Houston Rockets: Three defenders the team can add via trade
By T.A. Mock
CJ Miles, SF/SG, Toronto Raptors
CJ Miles is not as spry, quick, and strong as he used to be. Entering a season that’ll see him turn 32 definitely indicates that. However, Miles is still an extremely capable basketball player capable of taking over things at both ends of the court.
Miles is a good, not great, defender on the wing. At 6’6″, 225 lbs, he is able to defend the 2 and 3 at a very high level. He is also able to cover the 1 and 4 at a decent level as well. Granted, a much bigger guy at the 4 will overpower Miles while a much quicker guy at the 1 could blow by him.
Miles slumped in his first year with Toronto. He posted numbers well below his career marks in nearly every category, counting and advanced metrics. His defensive marks took a hit as well. He was also playing fewer minutes than he had in nearly a decade.
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Just a year previous, Miles posted phenomenal numbers offensively, 17 points per 36 minutes on 41% from three. He also posted 5 rebounds per 36 minutes. He also kept up his solid defense in addition to his great offensive year.
Miles style of defense is the same vein of guys like Patrick Beverley and Tony Allen. He is a grit and grind, hustle all day, pesky defender. He doesn’t quit and will do everything a team asks him to do offensively and, more importantly, defensively.
Miles would be a phenomenal addition to this Houston Rockets squad. Unfortunately, it will likely take a lot for the Raptors to give up two years of such a valuable commodity. There simply is no reason for a team that desires to contend to sell Miles. So, while this would be a phenomenal move for a very solid two-way player, it’s probably unlikely to happen.