The trade aggregation restriction has expired for the seven players who were involved in this season’s most significant deal, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN. That means everyone who was part of the four-team swap that sent James Harden to the Nets in January can now be combined with other salaries in another trade.
While that may not matter much to the other three teams involved, it’s significant for the Rockets, particularly involving Victor Oladipo, who has an expiring $21MM contract. Oladipo has remained a productive scorer in Houston, averaging 19.9 PPG in 15 games, but he’s shooting just 38.7% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range.
The rebuilding Rockets will have to decide whether they want to make a long-term investment in Oladipo, who will turn 29 before the season ends and is still sitting out one-half of back-to-back sets due to health concerns. He declined a two-year, $45MM extension offer from Houston shortly after the trade, the largest the Rockets could offer at the time, but the team admits that was just a way to show he was wanted. Oladipo will seek a longer deal once free agency arrives.
If Houston decides not to make that investment, its best option is to trade him before the March 25 deadline. The Knicks would be among the teams with interest, according to a report this week.
Owning the league’s third-worst record after 13 straight losses, the Rockets are expected to be among the league’s most active sellers heading into the deadline. They will also be able to aggregate the $9.6MM contract for Dante Exum and the $1.78MM deal for Rodions Kurucs, as both were acquired in the Harden deal.
In addition to Harden, the other players in the trade – who can now be aggregated – were Pacers guard Caris LeVert and Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and forward Taurean Prince.
Can the Sixers handle the Oladipo contract?
Plus who do they have to trade to get him?
I still think the Sixers should trade Simmons for Porzingis, if possible
Stop it. SMH
You are killing me. No team could start Embiid and Porzyngis in todays NBA. and with Embiid and Seth Curry handling some of the point responsibility the Sixers are in First at least until Durant gets healthy. You sound like you haven’t see the standings lately and still think Embiid and Simmons are not gelling like last year. To win a title they need 1 or 2 more outstanding role players but a conference Title as is could happen.
Don’t trade what’s been working. Embiid and Simmons can guard any team.
They could trade Thybulle and Danny Green.
Oladipo not a horrible candidate for that Celtics TPE
Celtics need a big!
Ainge is too cheap to deal for him.
It’s not just about being cheap. They have a huge TPE that would cover Oladipo.
They would still need to give Houston something in return, like Daniel Theis for instance. And probably a draft pick.
Not the Knicks please no. Everyone always uses NY teams to drive the price up. Especially the Knicks. If he was healthy I would consider it. But I believe there are better fits out there. Fournier and Dinwiddie are better fits for Knicks. Still think Oladipo is working his way back. Don’t think teams will offer much. Considering rumors about Heat. They might offer best deal.