While everyone was rightfully raving about the move by the Houston Rockets to trade for Chris Paul — you have to love a team not cowering from the Warriors but willing to take them on Game of Thrones style — there was one little catch. The trade, as first announced, didn’t pencil out.
Because the Rockets were over the cap, this trade needs to be a salary match. The Clippers were getting back nice young players in Sam Decker and Montrezl Harrell, plus a first-round pick, but the salaries still didn’t match up. Then a string of small cash deals for expiring contracts started rolling in.
Portland has traded Tim Quarterman to the Houston Rockets for cash, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2017
The Mavericks announced that they traded SG DeAndre Liggins to Houston for cash considerations.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 28, 2017
The Hawks are nearing a deal to trade Ryan Kelly to the Rockets for cash considerations. Could be completed today.
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) June 28, 2017
All those deals are official — and led to one of the funniest tweets of the year.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 28, 2017
All three of those players will head to the Clippers as part of the official trade, but then be waived by the Clippers so they don’t actually pay them.
Also of note, by staying above the salary cap line (as opposed to diving below it to absorb CP3’s contract) the Rockets will keep their mid-level exception, giving them a full $8.4 million to spend in free agency to get a role player to help fill out the roster in Houston.
The Rockets are not done big game hunting, GM Daryl Morey is reportedly going after Paul George and maybe free agents such as Paul Millsap. Carmelo Anthony reportedly would like a buyout so he can get to Houston now, but with Phil Jackson gone and $55 million owed over the next few years that seems more up in the air. Regardless, expect the Rockets to keep making small moves to set up big ones.
