Thanks to Harden for assisting! The Rockets 9-player rotation is in the prototype? A big deal 5 years ago is still in play

Houston Rockets exchanged for 36-year-old top superstar Kevin Durant at a very small price. The Suns really didn't get much from this deal - Jaylen Green, a three-year, 105 million contract, seems to be overrated. It is said that Jaylen Green has unlimited potential for "job and slap", but in fact, in his four-year career as the Rockets, he occasionally played a few good goals, but more often he was a typical example of unstable performance, especially in the playoffs, he performed well in only one game in 7 games, and scored in the remaining 4 games without double-digit points. Jaylen Green's playoff performance also strengthened the Rockets management's determination to send him away. It is indeed a pity that Dillon Brooks was sent away, but he was no longer young with a contract of more than 20 million. It is also a good thing that he can free up space for Amen Thompson, Ethan, Smith Jr. and even Whitmore. The Rockets got Durant, on the one hand, Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks were the core chips, and on the other hand, the 10th pick in the first round also played a huge role. The Suns now want young players and rebuilding, and the No. 10 pick will allow them to take advantage of centers or point guards in this offseason draft. With the current lineup of the Suns, they may really be able to score in the playoffs next season. After all, there are Booker, Bill, Jaylen Green and Dillon, and the Suns' books are not weak. After the Rockets got Durant, the rotation lineup was basically released. If there is no surprise next season, the starting lineup will be Van Vreet, Amen Thompson, Durant, Jabbarry Smith Jr. and Shinkyung, with the four rotations being Shepard, Whitmore, Ethan and Adams. Rockets media Bradeaux believes that these nine players are the main rotation of Uduka's men next season. In fact, in addition to these nine people, the Rockets also have defender Geneson Williams, center Landaer, and point guard Aaron Holiday. If Jeff Green and Tate were left behind, the Rockets would have a better lineup depth.

The Rockets media also posted a message saying that they would like to thank James Harden for the assets they have received for the team. You should know that five years ago, the Rockets sent Harden to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for some expired contracts and multiple Nets' first-round draft picks; and in the offseason last year, the Rockets returned these Nets' first-round draft picks to the Nets and obtained multiple first-round draft picks and swap rights from the Nets, which led to this big deal between the Suns and the Rockets.

If the Rockets do not control the Suns' first-round draft pick, the Suns may not send Durant to Houston - after all, the Heat, Spurs, Timberwolves and other teams are chasing Durant enthusiastically. But the Rockets hold the Suns' first-round draft pick, and Durant indicated that he was going to the Rockets, so the Suns had to send him to Houston.

Harden exchanged more than this for the Rockets: the first round of 2022 pick Ethan; the Rockets selected Shepherd in the 2024 pick; the No. 10 pick in 2025 was used in Durant's trade. In addition, the Rockets also have the first round pick for the Suns in 2027, the first round swap with the Nets in 2027, and the first round pick for the Mavericks or the Suns in 2029.

So, it seemed that Harden didn't get a superstar at that time, but only players like Oladipo and Olynick were the ones that the Rockets wanted the most. Without Harden's trade "assist" five years ago, there would be no Rockets' rise today. The Rockets should really thank the legendary superstar James Harden.