NBA: 5 teams that desperately need to make a trade after their slow start

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are 12-14, have lost seven of their last 10 games and are currently ranked 14th in the Western Conference. If the season strangely ended today, the Rockets would miss the playoffs one year removed from falling one game short of the NBA Finals.

It is amazing how much can change in the matter of months. The big thing that has changed with this team is their defensive identity. The Rockets still have a top 10 offense in the NBA, despite their awful record. However, their defense is ranked 27th this season.

For reference, the Rockets had the 7th best defense last season. Houston is allowing roughly seven more points per 100 possessions than they were last season. While some of that could be attributed to the losses of Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza, you really have to wonder what has gone on with the Rockets on that side of the ball. This team is struggling mightily, and could use all the help they can get. Adding a 3-and-D type player won’t exactly cure everything, but it could go a long way in getting this team back on track, or even respectable on that end of the floor.