Houston Rockets: Three front court players to target before trade deadline

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Utah Jazz small forward Royce O’Neale, who should be a trade target for the Houston Rockets (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Player #3: Royce O’Neale

I’ve always been impressed with guard/small forward Royce O’Neale‘s junkyard-dog, gritty style of play out on the hardwood. He’s become a nice fit for the Utah Jazz but I think he’d make an even better fit with the Houston Rockets.

A Texas native, the 6-foot-6 O’Neale went undrafted last season after spending his collegiate career split between the University of Denver and Baylor University before coming onto the scene for the Jazz. He fought his way through camp for a roster spot and has not relinquished it since.

Lest we not forget the high-level of performance he had against the Houston Rockets in last season’s Western Conference semifinals as he averaged 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 30 minutes per game in the five-game series. Although the Rockets prevailed, there were spots were they just couldn’t find an answer to limit his effectiveness.

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He was starting in the place of injured guard Ricky Rubio and he certainly burst onto the scene, raising eyebrows left and right, including yours truly.

If such a deal were to be made, he’d have a similar role for the Rockets, answering the call when the team needs him the most.

His relentless defensive energy could be used on this team and he’s currently putting up a 105

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defensive rating per 100 this season. He eked out a 104 last season so he has been consistently solid at such an important trait that more players need to be more keen of.

He’s also shown signs of acclimation of the pick-and-roll on a regular basis.

O’Neale has averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists with a shooting line of .468/.417/.759 through 49 games — nine starts — this season. He has been averaging 18.2 minutes per game.

Rubio just returned from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss six straight games and O’Neale is now headed back to the bench so would the Utah Jazz considering letting him go if they were to get a fair return for him?

The idea of trading for O’Neale would certainly depend on how the Jazz feel about their standing of contending for a playoff berth. They’re currently 27-22, good for the 7th spot in the West but only 2.5 games out of 9th place.

Just like the Rockets‘ season, the Jazz have been up-and-down throughout this season but they’re currently trending upward so a deal — unless the haul Morey offers is irresistible — may be more difficult to make but I don’t think it’s impossible.

Contract Situation: Two-year deal: $1.4 million in 2018-19 (pro-rated $700K), $1.6 million in 2019-20

So here are three players the Houston Rockets could deal for with cost-effective contracts, although the pickings are slim this trade deadline for what the team needs and has the assets for, they can still glean a few nuggets at the deadline this year.

Come on Morey, let’s make it happen!

Next. Three things Kenneth Faried brings to the Rockets. dark

Should the Rockets make a move or stay put? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below.

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