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And trade season has officially begun for the Houston Rockets!
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the team has agreed to send P.J. Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and a 2022 first-round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson and a 2023 first-round pick.
Sources: Houston is trading PJ Tucker, Rodions Kurucs and Bucks’ 2022 first-round pick back to Milwaukee for DJ Augustin, DJ Wilson and 2023 unprotected first-round pick. Houston also gets right to swap its 2021 second-round pick for Milwaukee's FRP pick unless it falls 1-9.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2021
After PJ Tucker did not suit up after the All-Star Break, it was clear a trade or a buyout was imminent. Tucker had multiple suitors, but eventually the team finalized a trade with the Bucks that is about a good of a package as you can ask for in return for a guy that wasn’t playing much.
The Rockets get hometown hero DJ Augustin, who is in the first year of a three-year deal. He’ll have the opportunity to mentor another young guard in Kevin Porter Jr.
The team also gets DJ Wilson, who’s set to become a restricted free agent after the season, but he provides some upside as a 6’10” power forward.
More importantly, the Rockets are able to acquire an extra first round pick in the trade. While they gave Milwaukee back their 2022 first-round pick they acquired in the James Harden trade, they get back an unprotected pick in 2023 and have the right to swap their second-round pick in this upcoming draft into the first round, which they will almost certainly take.
It’s a win-win trade for both sides. The Bucks get defensive help now with PJ Tucker and the Rockets get some future insurance down the line that resembles more than just a second-round pick.
Red Nation, what do you think of this deal?