Houston Rockets trade Chase Budinger to Minnesota Timberwolves; Acquire number 18 pick - NBA Update
Houston Rockets have agreed to send Chase Budinger to Minnesota Timberwolves in return of 18th overall pick in Thursday night’s draft, however leagues approval is still pending. The Wolves have also agreed to grant the
Rockets draft rights to Israeli players Lior Eliyahu as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Rockets are amongst many other franchises hoping to land superstar Dwight Howard and have been working on all possible angles to make that trade possible. They have the 14, 16th and now the 18th first round
pick and it is expected that they will use all those picks to get a pick in the top ten and then offer it to Magic just to get the Superman onboard.
Houston have also been looking for any Kyle Lowry suitors, holding the top ten picks.
Ever since Yao Ming’s retirement, the Rockets have been craving for an All-Star substitution. The (failed) Chris Paul trade this season was the continuation of their plan; however David Stern NBA Commissioner vetoed the trade that
would have landed Pau Gasol in their roster. Now they have their eyes locked on Orlando Magic’s Howard, even though it is expected that D 12 will not sign an extension with them.
It is also expected that the Rockets will use their picks to go after Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith, who has made it clear that he like to be traded this season.
Smith has one more year left on his contract, but with the Hawks being just a playoff calibre team, the patience of the power forward seems to have run out. If the Rockets can also lure Josh into the franchise, Howard might have
a reason to sign a long term contract with them as he is good friends with the forward.
For the Timberwolves, the acquisition of the Budinger strengthens their backcourt. The 24-year old small forward averaged 9.6 points and 3.7 boards last season (his third in NBA), playing for an average of 22.4 minutes per game.
Budinger’s acquisition may be the first step in Michael Beasley’s trade. Beasley has failed to live up to his potential in his time with the Wolves and with the emergence of Derrick Williams; Minnesota might look to bring in some
decent player on Beasley’s expense.
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