3. Houston Rockets
For a contender, the Houston Rockets have returned to the picture as an intriguing team in the Western Conference. Winning 10 of their last 11, they suddenly have footing in the postseason picture.
General manager Daryl Morey has made creative trades in the past, always searching for roster upgrades. It comes at the expense of draft picks, but to add that next piece, making the Rockets competitive.
Houston already has its starting center, Clint Capela, so Kanter would not overtake him. As a backup, albeit an expensive one, it makes some sense, especially if they can unload Brandon Knight‘s contract.
Why take on Knight’s $14 million owed in 2019-20, though, if the New York Knicks have this chance? They can demand one or more draft picks, including a first-rounder, which gives them assets and turns Knight’s contract into an expiring deal for next season.
However, it restricts about half of New York’s $29 million available in cap space for free agency. Unless they make a corresponding move to send Courtney Lee or Tim Hardaway Jr.’s salary away, the front office will no longer have the funds to sign Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard or another big name.
That alone complicates if the juice is worth the squeeze. Would the Knicks willingly take future salary for assets, though?