Rockets General Manager Rafael Stone Reflects on Quiet Trade Deadline
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets let the trade deadline come and go without making a deal. It was an interesting decision, given that if the Play-In Tournament took place today, the Rockets would not qualify.
But in the weeks leading up to the deadline, rumors had the Rockets linked to several players around the league. General manager Rafael Stone did his due diligence by taking calls but felt not making a deal was best for the organization.
"A lot of the ones we had long discussions about were moves that would have provided elements this year, maybe that we don’t have as well as stuff for the future. But they didn’t happen. And we’re fine with that. We like our group, and this gives everybody on our current roster an opportunity to shine."
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone watches during practice before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The long-term impact of the team was the basis of each trade deadline conversation Stone held with coach Ime Udoka. And despite their desires for an immediate upgrade, Stone did not want to make a move that would hurt the team moving forward.
However, the lone deal Stone made ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline was acquiring Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies. Stone noted that the Rockets' decision to trade for the veteran big man was made to help the team in the long term.
Before the start of the 2023-24 season, Adams sustained a PCL injury in his right knee, which required season-ending surgery in October. He added that Adams will be ready by the start of the 2024-25 season.
"I think we got a really high-level basketball player — a guy who’s been a dominant rebounding force in the NBA for the last five, six years," Stone said. "One of the best defenders in the NBA.
"Now we have two starting-level centers next year [Alperen Şengün]. Depth is extraordinarily important. He’s a very different player and will be a good complement on and off the court for our group."
After a quiet deadline, Stone revealed that the Rockets will look into the buyout market. But they will only make a move if something makes sense for both now and in the future.
"The primary thing for us is to have a group that is currently constituted playing up to its standard," Stone said. "I think over the last few weeks, everybody has been disappointed [because we let a few games we could win] slip through our fingers. The goal as of now, is to get the guys who are in the building to play as well as they can. We are focused on the guys who are here on this roster."
