There is no surprise here, this had been expected for weeks, but it took some time for the sides to hammer out the final details and wait for other things to clear up. Now it’s done and official.
Veteran Jason Terry has been traded to the Rockets, along with two second round picks, for Alonzo Gee, Scotty Hopson and a trade exception. The Kings and Rockets have announced the move.
Terry is the biggest name in the deal. He helped the Mavericks to a ring in 2011, but there are questions about what he can contribute at this point in Houston. Last season Terry came to the Kings from Brooklyn (Marcus Thornton deal), and once there he rehabbed his injury while the Kings played their youngsters. While in Brooklyn Terry didn’t do much — 4.5 points a game on 36.2 percent shooting in 35 games.
Terry is in the last year of a $5.8 million deal, which means it’s not a terrible gamble for the Rockets, but Houston fans may not want to get their hopes too high about what he brings at this point.
Gee and Hopson are some nice players the Kings can try to develop.
However the thing to watch is the Kings have a $5.85 million trade exception out of this deal (via the USA Today’s Sam Amick). Already very active trade partners, this gives the Kings the ability to absorb a salary without sending any out, although with them flirting with the luxury tax line currently that may be moot at the February trade deadline. However, the exception is good for a year so next summer they have another tool to use.