Before the start of the new season, the Rockets reached an agreement with the Wizards to exchange Russell Westbrook for John Volga's first round signing in 2023. Shao Wei took the initiative to apply for a deal with the team, but considering Shao Wei's big contract and his playing style on the court, there are not many teams willing to take over Shao Wei in the market. Shao Wei and Wall exchanged. Although the record of the two teams is almost as good as that of other teams, in the long run, the Rockets, which are committed to reconstruction, are the more profitable teams. They can complete Wall's big contract during the reconstruction period and get an additional first-round contract in 2023. Of course, the deal itself is also satisfactory, because in Washington, he can reunite with Brooks, the mentor of the Thunder period.
After several twists and turns, the Rockets sent Harden away shortly after the start of the season. Harden also took the initiative to leave the team and delineated the Nets, 76 ers, Bucks and Heat. In the end, Si Tong finally traded Harden to the Nets he wanted to go to, and got Oladipo, Assam, Kurut and four future first-round signings, as well as the first-round swap rights of the four Nets. It should be said that Si Tong has done its best to maximize Harden's trading return and let Harden join hands with Durant as he wishes.
Harden's departure, coupled with the rockets' successive defeats, gave Tucker the idea of leaving the team. As a 35-year-old veteran, Tucker's only requirement is to join a championship team. Si Tong gave Tucker's, Kurut's, 202 1 second round signing and 2022' first round signing to Bucks, in exchange for Augustine, DJ Wilson, Bucks' first round signing in 2023 and Bucks' first round signing in 202 1 protection. Tucker was equally satisfied with the deal.
Oladipo has long had a soft spot for the Heat. Although he was traded to the Rockets before, he refused the two-year $45.2 million renewal contract offered by the Rockets. Although the Rockets are also afraid that Oladipo will leave in vain after his contract expires, sending them to Miami will make Oladipo get what he wants. For Oladipo, following in Wade's footsteps and putting on the Heat's jersey has also realized his dream. With Butler and Adebayor, this Heat playoff will still make a difference. By sending Oladipo away, the Rockets got Bradley, Olinic and the first-round exchange rights in 2022.
Shao Wei, Harden, Tucker and Oladipo can all be said to be the backbone players of the Rockets in the past. Although Oladipo only played 20 games for the Rockets, he started all 20 games, averaging 2 1.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists 1.2 steals, which is also the team's main scorer. Under the operation of Si Tong, almost all these players went to the team they wanted to go to, and the Rockets also got a good return. Maybe Si Tong can't be named the best general manager of the year, but it's no exaggeration to call him a smart and humane general manager.