The Rockets two forwards are chased? The management has refused! Two players are adapted to the Uduka tactical system, staying at the team is stable

It can be said that this summer's offseason, the Houston Rockets are one of the biggest buyers in the transfer market and free agent market. The Rockets now have some salary space and can free up a lot of expired contracts, such as Tate, Jeff Green, etc. More importantly, the Rockets have multiple first-round draft picks and a large number of young players. If you want to chase an All-Star player, the Rockets have some bargaining chips to give away.

From another perspective, the Rockets are not only buyers in the trading market, but some players in the Rockets seem to be the favorites of other teams. For example, two young Rockets forwards, Smith Jr. and Ethan, were both attracted by other teams.

As rookies in 2022, Ethan and Smith Jr. are still young enough. Although they have performed in both the starting lineup and the substitute this season, both of them are extremely important strikers for the Rockets. According to famous NBA reporter Daniel Reiner, some teams are interested in Rockets' double forwards Smith Jr. and Tari Ethan.

But luckily, the Rockets still value their contribution to the team, which means that the Rockets will not trade two people. Raphael Stone, as general manager of the Rockets, will definitely be willing to leave Smith Jr. and Ethan, and will not trade them easily. Of course, unless the Rockets can get the top 10 superstars in the league, Smith Jr. and Ethan are still within the Rockets' long-term plan. There is even news that if the Rockets cannot renew the two early this summer, the Rockets will match everything from other teams to Smith Jr. and Ethan in the offseason next summer. In other words, although Ethan and Smith Jr. have average personal data, no one can replace their performance on the Rockets' forward line.

According to Reiner, although Ethan and Smith both received attention from other teams after the Rockets' game this season, the Rockets attached great importance to the contribution of the two. Even though the two players missed many games due to injuries this season, the Rockets' coaching staff and management believe that the two are very suitable for coach Uduka's tactical system. If there is no top superstar who may join the Rockets, then whether it is the young Ethan or Smith Jr., they are both non-sale products from the Rockets.

Ethan is very skilled, able to grab rebounds, defend, and shoot three-pointers from the outside. Smith Jr. is the Rockets' best space power forward - his three-point shooting percentage reached 35% this season. In the playoffs, Smith Jr.'s three-point shooting percentage increased to more than 40%. And he is also the fastest and most mobile big man in the Rockets. In addition to power forwards and centers, Smith Jr. also plays a role in the Rockets' three center lineup this season, and he once played in the Rockets' small forward position.

Therefore, Ethan and Smith Jr. are players that the Rockets will not trade easily. Although it is difficult for the two to get a contract renewal with a maximum salary, it should not be a problem for the two to get an annual salary of 20 million to 30 million next season.