NBA Trade 2018-19 Review: Houston Rockets- added Iman Shumpert, Kenneth Faried to strengthen Playoffs run

#2 Players that Rockets missed to capture

Enes Kanter

Enis Kanter kissing the Knicks floor after checking-in against Dallas Mavericks J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Kanter became a free-agent after he was released by the New York Knicks. The center then signed with the Portland Trailblazers as a restricted free-agent. Kanter's role was decreased in the weeks as the deadline was closing in and he voiced with the displeasure with the situation.

He was eyed by major teams in the league including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. A veteran center who can shoot well and with eight seasons of experience and an average of 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds would have helped the Rockets in their championship campaign.

J.R. Smith, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers and J.R. Smith are destined to part ways, sooner or in the next season, but they have failed to do so before the deadline. Smith hasn't stepped in the Cavs jersey for obver two months after the team agreed to trade him away. It will be interesting to see if Smith accepts a buyout while he has a contract worth $14.7 million for the current season.

J.R. Smith in action against Detroit Pistons

While the Rockets are suffering from the injury bug, four of their five starters have suffered injuries this season, J.R. Smith would have been a viable option to fill in minutes and producing some productive totals. With various teams who will have Smith on the radar, it will be interesting if Rockets show interest in him and take him through the buyout.