The Houston Rockets have underwhelmed this season and could decide to give up some players before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline in order to get younger, clear salary cap space for the summer and/or collect draft picks.
ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Rockets and Jazz have been talking about a potential trade involving Utah point guard Trey Burke and Houston point guard Ty Lawson.
Lawson is having a poor season, but when healthy and committed, he can be a very good player. He has career averages of 13.4 points and 6.3 assists per game. Lawson is signed through next season, but his $13.2 million salary is not fully guaranteed, per Hoops Hype.
Burke is in his second pro season and is averaging 11.8 points and 2.6 assists per game. The former ninth overall draft pick out of Michigan is playing just 23.6 minutes per game in the Jazz’s crowded backcourt.
Utah only is a half game ahead of Houston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference entering Thursday. Lawson would be a slight upgrade at point guard if he’s on top of his game and at least should be motivated to play well enough to earn his full salary next season.
In Burke, Houston would acquire a younger player with more upside and a cheaper contract.
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Thumbnail photo via Jennifer Stewart/USA TODAY Sports Images
