If the NBA trade deadline were today, there’s a proposed deal floating around that suggests the Houston Rockets should send out one of their most promising young players and an unprotected first-round pick for Boston’s Payton Pritchard.
Let’s be clear: that’s a hard pass for Houston.
The Proposed Deal
Here’s the trade in question:
- Houston Rockets receive: Payton Pritchard
- Boston Celtics receive: Tari Eason and an unprotected first-round pick
At first glance, it might seem like a marginal upgrade at the guard spot. But when you dig into the numbers, the logic just doesn’t hold up-especially from Houston’s perspective.
Eason vs. Pritchard: Who’s Actually the Better Player?
Let’s start with the player swap. Tari Eason and Payton Pritchard were both among the league’s top reserves last season.
Eason posted a Box Plus/Minus (BPM) of 3.6, edging out Pritchard’s 3.5. That’s a small gap, but it suggests they’re operating on a similar level in terms of overall impact.
Even if you consider them roughly equal in value, the proposed trade has Houston adding a valuable unprotected first-round pick to the deal. That’s where things start to unravel.
Houston isn’t in a position where they need to overpay for marginal upgrades-especially not when that kind of draft capital could be the key to a future blockbuster or the next franchise cornerstone. That 2029 pick could easily land in the high lottery.
Giving it up for a rotation-level guard? That’s not the kind of move a team building for long-term success should be making.
Yes, Eason’s injury history and upcoming contract negotiations are factors. But they don’t justify flipping him and one of the team’s most valuable future assets for a player who doesn’t solve a major problem.
The Sheppard Factor
Even more puzzling? Houston already has a version of Pritchard on the roster-and arguably a better one.
Rookie guard Reed Sheppard is turning heads this season. He’s averaging 12.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while knocking down a blistering 43.7% of his threes.
His BPM? A stellar 4.9.
Compare that to Pritchard’s 16.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 0.7 steals on 33.3% shooting from deep and a BPM of just 0.9. Sure, Pritchard has the edge in traditional counting stats, but Sheppard is clearly making a bigger all-around impact-especially when you factor in efficiency and defensive contributions.
And that’s the crux of it. If Sheppard is already producing at a high level and trending upward, why bring in a player whose skill set overlaps with his?
It’s not just about minutes-it’s about development. Bringing in Pritchard could cloud Sheppard’s role and stunt his growth, which is the last thing Houston needs when they’ve got a promising young core coming into its own.
What the Rockets Should Be Looking For
If Houston’s front office decides to shop that unprotected pick, it should be for a player who fills a clear need-not someone who duplicates what they already have. A taller guard with defensive versatility?
That makes sense. A veteran leader who can guide the young core through high-leverage moments?
That’s worth considering.
But Pritchard, while a solid contributor, doesn’t check those boxes. He’s not a defensive upgrade.
He’s not a long-term solution. And he’s not worth derailing the development of a player like Sheppard or burning a pick that could shape the future of the franchise.
Bottom Line
This proposed trade just doesn’t align with where the Rockets are or where they’re headed. They’ve built a roster full of intriguing young talent, and they’re finally starting to see the pieces come together. Making a move just for the sake of it-or to marginally upgrade a position they’ve already invested in-would be a step backward.
Fortunately for Rockets fans, there’s no indication this is a deal the team is seriously considering. And that’s a good thing. Because if Houston’s going to make a splash at the deadline, it needs to be a move that elevates the ceiling-not one that compromises the foundation.