For the Rockets, the play was getting rid of the contract belonging to guard Kevin Porter Jr.
Well, lo and behold, they somehow managed to do just that, agreeing to a trade with the Thunder that will send Porter and two second-round picks on their way, in exchange for guard Victor Oladipo and forward/center Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
Oladipo is injured and out for a while, but the Rockets intend to keep him, as we relayed here. He is on an expiring $9.5 million deal.
But as for Robinson-Earl, it appears it’s to early to say for sure. Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets have not reached a decision on whether to keep Robinson-Earl. But even if not, “he will not be cut immediately,” Feigen reported.
Robinson-Earl, 22, is 6-foot-9 and has been in the NBA for two seasons, both with the Thunder. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 43 games last year, shooting 44 percent from the field.
On one hand, he could be a fit in a Houston frontcourt that also includes the likes of center Alperen Sengun and Jock Landale, and power forwards Jabari Smith and Tari Eason.
On the other hand, it’s hard to know if there will be enough minutes to go around for Robinson-Earl.
Based on Feigen’s report, the Rockets at least intend to figure that out before making their next move.
Robinson-Earl was selected by the Knicks with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, then traded to the Thunder the following day. He is due to make $1.9 million this season, with a team option for $1.98 million in 2024-25.
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