NBA Trade Deadline 2016: Grading every team’s moves

Houston Rockets

You can always count on Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets to provide the entertainment on the day of the trade deadline and they undoubtedly didn’t disappoint. Both in terms of rumors and making some of the more substantial trades on Thursday, the Rockets were the most active team at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline.

Obviously the biggest storyline was trying to move Dwight Howard, as the Rockets seemingly held trade discussions with 31 teams about trying to unload the center. However, they ultimately couldn’t get the package in return that they wanted as Dwight wouldn’t commit beyond this season, which hurts the Rockets’ grade at the deadline.

However, the Rockets did make a relatively smart move with the Pistons as they traded Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton for Joel Anthony and a top-8 protected first-round pick. We all know how Morey and Houston loves their assets and picks, so to move two role players to get that pick isn’t a bad move for them. Worth mentioning also is that they traded for Josh Smith earlier in the year.

In the end, though, the Rockets weren’t able to move on from a player in Howard that they desperately need to from a chemistry and team-building and that doesn’t look good for a disappointing team this season.

Grade: D+

Next: Pacers