NBA 18/19: 3 Players the Houston Rockets should keep out of trade talks

The Houston Rockets have suffered a disastrous start to the 2018/19 NBA season, and the team currently sits third bottom of the Western Conference standings with an underwhelming record of 13-14. The Rockets start to the season is a far cry to their 17/18 campaign, in which the team came within one game of defeating the dominant Golden State Warriors.

The organization expected things to improve once Carmelo Anthony was released from the team, although we are now approaching Christmas and the team is still struggling. The Rockets are reportedly looking to make a move for J.R. Smith, while players such as Bradley Beal have also been linked with a trade. The team currently has limited cap space, and the Rockets will need to move on players to make potential deals, so here are three individuals that the organization should keep out of trade talks.

#3 Eric Gordon

Gordon was an important player for the Rockets last season

During the early stages of the 18/19 season, Eric Gordon has struggled to match his productivity from the previous few seasons. Due to the lack of depth in the Rockets squad, Gordon is currently averaging his highest number of minutes in a Houston uniform (32.7), although he has averaged just 15.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists, all of which are down from the 17/18 season.

Gordon will himself be aware that he could soon find himself playing for his future in Houston, however, the Rockets should be hesitant to trade away such an influential player. The 30-year-old fits seamlessly into the Rockets system, and his ability to either start or come off the bench remains important to the teams head coach, Mike D'Antoni. His contract of $13,500,375 per season represents good value for an experienced player who is useful at both ends, and hopefully, he will still be a Rockets player after the February trade deadline.

#2 Clint Capela

Capela signed a new 5-year deal in the summer

After weeks of speculation during the offseason that Clint Capela would leave the Houston Rockets, the center agreed on a new five-year contract to stay with the organization. The deal means that Capela will earn a base salary of $13.79 million for the current season, although that total will rise to $18.2 million in the 2022-23 season.

The deal also contains a number of incentives such as a $1 million bonus if the team makes the Western Conference Finals, and half that figure if Capela manages shoots 65% from the free-throw line.

On the court, the 23-year-old has continued to improve again this season, and he is currently averaging 17.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks-per-game. Despite this, the Rockets may believe there are enough options around the league to replace Capela with a cheaper center, and due to his status as the Rockets third biggest earner, he will always remain at risk of being traded.

#1 James Ennis III

Ennis III has proved to be a hit for the Houston Rockets

James Ennis III signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Rockets back in July. His arrival in Houston came after he started the 17/18 season as a member of Grizzlies, but ended the season on the Pistons. His career averages of 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists do not read particularly well, however, Ennis has proved to be a hit in Houston.

The 28-year-old has surprisingly started 22 games for the Rockets, and he has averaged 8.0 points-per-game while shooting .363 from behind the arc. On the defensive end, Ennis is also providing one steal per game and is averaging a career-high 0.5 blocks per game.

The small forward has done everything that was expected of him when he joined the Rockets on a two-year minimum deal back in July, and the Rockets should be reluctant to use him in any deal to acquire new talent.