Dance on the cliff, Rockets may be broken up by Durant for many years, and one person has become a key factor in the transaction

The Rockets officially started to rebuild after leaving Harden. After four years, they finally made it to the playoffs last season, and they were second in the West. However, in terms of lineup, the team always lacks an absolute leader, so in this offseason, there are many voices saying that as long as the Rockets can trade an offensive arrow, they will be on the list of championship competition next season.

At present, the player with the most trade rumors in the league is Durant. The Suns are investigating Durant's market conditions everywhere in the league. At the same time, there are sources that Rockets coach Uduka does intend to get the veteran who is about to turn 37. For this reason, the Rockets are willing to make a bargaining chip with Jaylen Green and the 10-pick pick in the first round in 25 years.

It has to be said that if this deal really comes true, the Rockets' young talent accumulated over the four years of founding the team will inevitably lose some. Given that Durant is 37 years old next season, no one knows how many years he can maintain his condition, which will be a considerable risk for the Rockets.

More importantly, in the Durant trade, the Rockets may lose the third pick in the first round of 2022, Jabbarry Smith Jr., which is the situation that the Rockets don't want to see the least. Although Jia Jia was replaced by Amen Thompson in the second half of last season, especially in the playoffs, he averaged only 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. But in terms of the team's tactical role, even if you look at the league, it is very rare for big men like him to be.

Before the 22nd draft, as a rising star at Auburn University, Jabbarry Smith Jr. was in the first place in the draft list for a long time, but during the trial training, his shortcomings in luck control were completely exposed. Both the Magic and the Thunder chose to skip this 2.11-meter-long forward, so that the Rockets could get the third pick in the first round.

However, after joining the Rockets, people have completely determined that Jabbarry Smith Jr. can only appear as an off-ball receiver in three seasons. As a 3D player, he can complete the tasks of external restraint and inside frame protection, but as long as he gets the ball to launch an independent attack, especially when attacking in the face frame, it will be a "disaster" for his own team.

This may also be the main reason why he is getting smaller and smaller in the Rockets. However, even so, in his 57 games last season, he still averaged 30.1 minutes of playing time, scoring 12.2 points, 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists. The most urgent task at the moment is that the Rockets want to sign it at a relatively reasonable price, such as signing a four-year, $100 million contract extension, rather than using him as a bargaining chip.

Observing Rockets players, it is not difficult to find that outside shooting itself is one of the Rockets' shortcomings, and Xiao Jia's shooting skills are definitely in the TOP3 level in the team. If the Rockets trade it, the outside will lose one offensive threat point. Especially when Uduka uses a small lineup, Smith can rotate to the No. 5 position and has the ability to open up space. This feature is very similar to Miles Turner, who is in the finals, and will give the opponent a headache.

In addition, Xiao Jia's tactical position decline in the team is likely to last only for a short period of time. If the team sends Jaylen Green away this summer, Amen Thompson will likely be on the No. 2 position, and the starting No. 4 position will be left to Xiao Jia again. Or after Amen Thompson practices shooting, the team will definitely use it as the cornerstone to build the team. Amen's position will be more inclined to No. 1 position, and Xiao Jia can also be the starting lineup in the past.

So when it comes to Xiao Jia's transactions, the Rockets must be very cautious. Perhaps in terms of personal abilities, he does not have Jaylen Green, who averages 20 points per game, but as a team player, Xiao Jia's role in improving both offense and defense of this Rockets and enriching tactical styles is something Jaylen Green cannot compare with. To sum up, if the Rockets and Suns need the Rockets to put Xiao Jia into Durant's trade, then it's better if the Rockets don't do this deal. Do you think the Rockets should use Xiao Jia as part of the bargaining chips for trading Durant? Welcome to leave a message for discussion!