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5 Hypothetical Trades the Houston Rockets Could Make Before the Deadline

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5 Hypothetical Trades the Houston Rockets Could Make Before the Deadline

Corey Brewer and Trevor Ariza
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The Houston Rockets are struggling just after finishing last season in the Western Conference Finals. After a tough start, the team has fired head coach Kevin McHale in order to try to revitalize the team. Here are five hypothetical trades the Rockets could make in order to become a top Western Conference team.

5. Donatas Motiejunas to the Celtics

Donatas Motiejunas Rockets
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5. Donatas Motiejunas to the Celtics

Donatas Motiejunas Rockets
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Part of the problem for the Rockets is that the team doesn’t consistently give enough effort. The Rockets could try to trade Dontas Motiejunas to the Boston Celtics and get Kelly Olynyk in return. Olynyk plays hard every possession and is willing to do anything it takes to win.

4. Matt Barnes Comes to the Rockets

Matt Barnes Grizzlies
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4. Matt Barnes Comes to the Rockets

Matt Barnes Grizzlies
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Matt Barnes may be a player who can sometimes go over the edge, but he does have the right competitive mindset. Motiejunas and Sam Dekker should be traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in order to get Matt Barnes. Additionally, the Grizzlies would also send a future first-round pick to the Rockets.

3. Aaron Gordon Comes to the Rockets

Aaron Gordon Magic
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3. Aaron Gordon Comes to the Rockets

Aaron Gordon Magic
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Another player who gives persistent effort is Aaron Gordon. Gordon may be young, but he has a high motor and he is athletic. The Rockets could trade Montiejunas to the Orlando Magic and receive Gordon as a player who can immediately make an impact.

2. Dwight Howard to the Nuggets

Dwight Howard Rockets
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2. Dwight Howard to the Nuggets

Dwight Howard Rockets
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Dwight Howard hasn’t been living up to expectations. He may be playing decently, but the Rockets needed him to be a dominant center. The Rockets should trade Howard to the Nuggets. The Rockets would get Kenneth Faried, JJ Hickson and Randy Foye in return. Faried has youth, potential, and is known for the amount of work he puts in on both ends of the court.

1. Joakim Noah Comes to the Rockets

Joakim Noah Bulls
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1. Joakim Noah Comes to the Rockets

Joakim Noah Bulls
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Joakim Noah might not be the same player he was when he won the Defensive Player of the Year award, but he can still pass well and he still plays harder than most NBA players. The Rockets should try to get Pau Gasol and Noah for Howard. The Chicago Bulls get a player who was once a superstar and the Rockets get a tough player and a power forward who has a lot of offensive skill.

Frank Ewere is a Beat Writer for the New Orleans Pelicans on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheFrankEwere, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Frank Ewere is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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