2021 NBA Trade Deadline: 3 teams who will be sellers

Seller at the NBA trade deadline: Houston Rockets

More drama is expected to fill the streets of H-Town as the Houston Rockets are expected to continue to shake up its roster before the trade deadline.

It’s been an unbelievable experience for the Rockets organization from the outlook of last season to where they currently stand. After serving as legit competitors in the West for so many years, they are now in the late stages of blowing up the core that they once had in favor of a fresh start with a whole bunch of new faces.

James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Robert Covington have been the latest big names to leave the organization via trade, and DeMarcus Cousins was recently let go with both sides mutually agreeing on a breakup. Houston has expressed its desire to get younger, and they intend to move forward with offloading other valued veterans to inherit more youthful assets.

It’s no secret that Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker are available for trade and the likelihood for them to be dealt before the deadline continues to grow. Both are on expiring contracts and would raise any team’s chances of success in the postseason.

However, some teams may be skeptical of giving up too much for Oladipo due to his $21.0 million salary and the likely loan he’d be for half of a season. It’s become clear that Vic would prefer to sign with the Miami Heat in free agency, so other teams would need to evaluate whether loaning him for one postseason is worth giving up assets. Oladipo is still worth a mid-round first-round pick or a promising young player, so that will likely be what Houston is looking for in any potential deal for him.

Tucker, on the other hand, should be gaining a boatload of interest from contending teams. He’s extremely affordable with only a $7.9 million salary, so it’s highly likely that he won’t be a Rocket by the time the trade window closes. In fact, don’t be surprised if a bidding war breaks out for him.

The Celtics, Heat, Nets, Bucks, Sixers, Lakers, Blazers, Nuggets, and more could all pursue the veteran forward. Tucker brings a strong defensive presence and contagious mentality backed by determination and grit, so his value for that price is very enticing.

The Rockets are sitting at 14th in the West and seem destined to tank out the rest of the season. They simply don’t need Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker anymore, so receiving the best they can for them before the deadline is the most logical solution. Eric Gordon is another veteran that could be shopped, and teams should be calling about him as well due to the fact that he’s on a comfortable four-year, $75.5 million contract.

Houston is in the process of shifting their culture while preparing for the long-term future, and changes will continue to come as we approach the trade deadline. Without a doubt, the Rockets will be big-time sellers in these next couple of weeks before the NBA trade deadline.