After a slew of offseason moves that set them up as title contenders, the Houston Rockets are seemingly starting the 2025-26 season with their current roster. General manager Rafael Stone will likely want to see how the team begins the campaign before making any decisions to further upgrade the roster.
Once the Rockets decide what they need, there are a few likely trade candidates. Among them is veteran forward Jae'Sean Tate.
Jae'Sean Tate May Be Gone from Houston Before the End of the Year
The Rockets re-signed Tate to a one-year deal this offseason. The 29-year-old versatile forward is a developmental success story in Houston, going from an undrafted free agent to a valuable contributor. Unfortunately, however, there isn't room for his skill set on this team.
Tate is a limited offensive player due to his shooting and scoring limitations. He creates spacing issues and is not a good enough creator and finisher to make up for this weakness. His calling card is his defensive versatility and physicality, but that is not needed on this Rockets team that is overflowing with elite wing defenders.
Houston has the likes of Amen Thompson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason to take on the tough defensive assignments. Eason and Thompson already create spacing concerns, especially when the Rockets' centers, Alperen Şengün, Clint Capela, and Steven Adams, are all non-shooters. This makes it very difficult to find playing time for Tate.
At the same time, teams around the NBA are always looking for versatile defenders on team-friendly contracts. Regardless of the upgrades the Rockets need once the season starts, Tate will be one of the assets they will likely include in a trade.
So far, it looks like the Rockets' most obvious need is more shooting and shot creation. Unless Reed Sheppard takes a massive step forward to begin the season, that will continue to be the case. Attaching draft capital and additional salary to Tate's contract could net the Rockets a difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball.
As good as Tate has been for the Rockets over the last five years, his time in Houston may come to an end in the next few months.