Thu, Sep 29, 2022 at 9:15pm

ROCKETS, THUNDER SWAP NINE!

The Houston Rockets acquired center/forward Derrick Favors, guard Theo Maledon, forward Maurice Harkless, a second-round draft pick in 2025 and guard Ty Jerome from the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard/forwards David Nwaba and Sterling Brown, guard Trey Burke and center/forward Marquese Chriss .

What does it give the Houston Rockets
This trade is more of a business transaction than a sports deal, as Houston accepted to add a bit of salary so as to land an extra second-round draft (which reportedly belonged to Atlanta originally from the '25 draft). Favors and Maledon have a chance to become part of Houston's bench rotation in 2022-23, but Harkless is less likely to do so. Jerome will reportedly be waived as part of this trade.

What does it give the Oklahoma City Thunder
For the Thunder, creating a little more salary space was the principle motivation to make this deal at this time. Both Nwaba and Brown are versatile, so they could wind up as part of Oklahoma City's rotation plans for '22-23. Burke is mainly a guard, but he too might work himself into the rotation. Chriss replaces Favors as an extra big man for the bench for OKC. This trade is not going to make an on-court impact.

Fantasy impact
None of the players involved in this swap of nine assets is likely to carry much fantasy value this season. Maledon may still have some untapped upside, but remains non recommendable in most league drafts. Favors and Chriss are merely backup big men, while the likes of Nwaba, Brown and Burke will also struggle to make an impact with their new team. Jerome will look to find another team to play for after he is waived.