NBA Draft: Rockets use Blazers’ pick to select Dillon Brooks, then trade him

The Rockets used Portland’s pick from a previous trade to select Dillon Brooks, but sent him off to Memphis instead of keeping him.

The Thomas Robinson Trade has a new member in its history: Dillon Brooks.

The last time we discussed Thomas Robinson, it was to show how his trade from Houston resulted in Portland not having a 2017 second-round pick.

To recap: Portland sent their 2017 second-round pick, along with two players and a 2015 second-rounder, to Houston to acquire Thomas Robinson.

On draft night, the trade took another turn.

Portland’s 2017 pick became the 45th pick in the NBA Draft. And, Houston used it to select none other than Oregon’s own Dillon Brooks.

But, they didn’t keep the pick.

Instead, Dillon Brooks was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade soon after the pick was made. What did Houston get for Brooks? One future second-round pick.

Hoopsrumors.com tries to decipher the trade:

"Houston eliminated a potential financial commitment by dealing the 45th pick and using the 43rd choice on 19-year-old Isaiah Hartenstein, who will likely spend at least one more year overseas. That fits in with the Rockets’ reported desire to clear cap room and pursue elite free agents next month."

Maybe this is revenge for The Shot way back when? Kidding aside, in reality, it’s just the NBA being what the NBA is: a business.

This business-mentality showed itself when the Blazers sent Tim Quarterman to Houston for cash considerations. Portland used the Rockets to dump an asset they were going to cut for cash instead.

Players get dealt for multitudes of reasons, and money is often one of the main ones.

Houston reportedly completed a trade to pair Chris Paul with James Harden days before free agency. A questionable move in my opinion, but regardless, it still required some financial work beforehand to become reality.

Next: Free Agency recap of deals signed up to July 4

I wouldn’t call trading away a second-round pick that much of a financial reliever, but Daryl Morey will do what Daryl Morey sees fit.

For Ducks/Blazers fans, maybe this adds fuel to a once-budding rivalry with the Rockets. Regardless, it’s fun to track how a trade for Thomas Robinson to Portland impacted the future of a Duck basketball player. Small (NBA) world.