After suffering a defeat in Sacramento, the Rockets had little time to adjust before embarking on another away game, this time facing the Portland Trail Blazers. Due to a calf injury, Amen Thompson was unable to play, and Tate took his place in the starting lineup for the first time this season. However, he failed to score a single point throughout the game, which did not satisfy the Rockets' fans. Fortunately, Tari Eason, who came off the bench, made a timely return from injury, scoring 18 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and making 3 steals in the game. This performance helped the Rockets overcome the absence of Amen Thompson and win by a margin of 22 points. With more than half of the NBA regular season completed, the Rockets have achieved an impressive record of 28 wins and 13 losses, firmly ranking second in the Western Conference. In a post-game interview, VanVleet expressed that they still have bigger dreams and goals, and are continuously growing and improving. He hopes to peak in April and May.
Recently, according to American media outlet Bleacher Report's journalist Jake Fischer, the underperforming Mavericks are keen on acquiring De'Andre Hunter from the Hawks as their top target. Hunter can relieve pressure on the Eastern European duo at both ends of the court. If negotiations go smoothly, defensive guard Quentin Grimes could join Houston. The specific trade plan is as follows:
- The Rockets send Aaron Holiday, a 2027 second-round pick from the Timberwolves, and a 2029 second-round pick from the Rockets to receive Quentin Grimes.
- The Mavericks send Daniel Gafford, Quentin Grimes, Dante Exum, and a 2031 first-round pick to acquire De'Andre Hunter.
- The Hawks send De'Andre Hunter to receive Daniel Gafford, Aaron Holiday, Dante Exum, one future first-round pick, and two future second-round picks.
Grimes, only 24 years old, stands at 1.93 meters tall with a wingspan of 2.02 meters and weighs 95 kilograms. He plays as a combo guard, averaging 10.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.5 minutes per game this season, with a three-point shooting percentage of 39.5%. He is the type of player favored by Rockets coach Udoka, possessing strong defense and excellent mid-to-long-range shooting capabilities. He does not dominate the ball, preferring to share it and find the best scoring opportunities through team cooperation. He was once known as the "Knicks Prince" and scored 36 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and made 5 steals in New York, becoming the first Knicks player after Marbury. However, good times were fleeting, and the Knicks sent Grimes to Detroit to upgrade their roster, followed by a trade to Dallas.
It is worth noting that Grimes is a fellow rookie with Jalen Green and Shen Jing, and this year he is in a contract year. To secure a satisfactory renewal contract, he gives his all in every game. The Rockets had four first-round picks in the 2021 draft, but General Manager Rafael Stone never gave Grimes a chance. Players drafted ahead of him, such as Garuba and Christopher, have faded away in the NBA, while Grimes has established himself in the Mavericks with his tenacious playing style. However, his position overlaps with Doncic and Irving, and since the loss of Little Derrick Jones, the Mavericks' frontline strength has declined, especially defensively. Newly joined Klay Thompson is not adept at defense. Hunter averages 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 27.9 minutes per game this season, with a three-point shooting percentage of 41.9%, making him a reliable assistant to Doncic and Irving.
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