Houston Rockets Receive: K.J. McDaniels
At the time of the trade, getting a rookie high flyer like McDaniels for just a backup point guard and a late second-round pick was a steal for the Rockets. However, no one expected coach Kevin McHale to consistently sit the Clemson product as the DNPs (Coach’s Decision) piled up for the promising wing.
McDaniels captivated audiences at the Wells Fargo Center but was a constant sight on the bench at the Toyota Center. To articulate the drastic decrease in minutes from Philadelphia to Houston, he didn’t reach 10 minutes per game mark once.
While he hasn’t been playing in a Rockets uniform, the team obviously has a rotation and system in place that has got them to the Western Conference Finals.
The Rockets understood GM Sam Hinkie was looking to deal McDaniels and gave up less than expected due to his unusual contract status with the team. It will be interesting to see if Houston or Philadelphia attempt to go after one of the highest upside wings on the market.
Grade: B
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: PG Isaiah Canaan, 2015 Second-Round Pick (Denver)
McDaniels played the Sixers badly last offseason. Knowing he would outplay his second-round deal, he signed for the league minimum and become a free agent in 2015. Getting dealt to the Rockets might have hindered his stock, but Philadelphia showcased what he could bring to the Association.
Hinkie could have played his hand two different ways. Keep McDaniels and make a pitch in the offseason at a discount, or deal him to a contender and get maybe an asset in return.
Hinkie was quoted to be high on Canaan. However, competition heightens play from two individuals. Ish Smith made people forget everything about pre-Philadelphia Ish Smith and capitalized on the vacant point guard role. Canaan, in his first attempt to carry a team, looked lost on the floor and saw his minutes latch onto Smith.
After losing their 2015 second-round pick to Boston in the Arnett Moultrie fiasco, Hinkie got another shot to draft a steal like McDaniels in the early second round.
Grade: B
Next: Thomas Transforms Boston from Pushovers to Playoff Contender