The Portland Trail Blazers land the 3-and-D wing they’ve been looking for from the Houston Rockets
Landing the number two overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft will likely push the Houston Rockets into the rebuild that they’ve actively avoided. They’re off to an amazing start after signing Christian Wood last offseason and now having the opportunity to add a top-two prospect to join him in their young core.
The next step in their rebuild is to sell off their useful veterans for young players and future draft capital from contending teams.
The Portland Trail Blazers should be one of those teams to inquire about forward Danuel House Jr.
House’s sudden emergence as a 3-and-D wing was a major factor in Houston’s sustained success in the James Harden era. House became the next wing in a long line of players who were asked to play defense, hit open threes, and do practically nothing else for the Rockets.
His experience as a perimeter defender and off-ball shooter will make him the perfect addition to the Blazers wing unit. He’ll be one of Portland’s top perimeter defenders, can guard four positions, and can be trusted to hit open, corner threes.
The Rockets in return, receive two raw prospects in Elleby and Nassir Little to add to their young core. Both are projects for sure, but Little especially, has the blue-chip pedigree to possibly become a star with the right nurturing.
In addition, they add a first-round pick to their arsenal to build with in the future.