As part of the blockbuster deal that sends James Harden to Brooklyn, the Houston Rockets take Victor Oladipo from Indiana, Dante Exum from Cleveland and Rodions Kurucs from the Nets.
In terms of list places, that means three players come in and one comes out, which would put the Rockets above the NBA limit. Thus, someone else should go for the trade to be legal and it looks like someone will be a 25-year-old man, Bruno Caboclo.
On Smochine Jonathan from the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets will give up Caboclo on Thursday before completing the transaction.
Caboclo, who signed again with Houston in the offseason, has only played in the mop-up service since veteran center-back DeMarcus Cousins returned from quarantine. Between Cousins, starter Christian Wood and smaller bands with Jae’Sean Tate or PJ Tucker in the middle, there doesn’t seem to be a way for Caboclo to break Stephen Silas’ rotation. At 6 feet-9 and nearly 230 pounds, Kurucs could also fit into that equation.
In six appearances this season, Caboclo averaged 2.8 points (47.1% FG) and 2.3 rebounds in 6.0 minutes. His minimum wage would not have been fully guaranteed until February 27So Caboclo’s release also helps the Rockets stay below the wage cap and luxury tax rapids.
An end to an era. Missile trades James Harden in Brooklyn in a multi-team business, getting Oladipo and elections. (With update on the next move to tomorrow’s list.) Https://t.co/0aweTMXOMs
– Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 14, 2021