The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

June 9, 1998

"Rockets send Willis to Canada for Roy Rogers and draft picks"

The Houston Rockets acquired F Roy Rogers and the 16th and 18th picks in the 1998 NBA Draft in exchange for F / C Kevin Willis.

1998 - ‘99 Salaries:

Roy Rogers, Houston: $863 K

Kevin Willis, Toronto: $2.1 M

Note:

• Rogers will be in the last yr. of his rookie contract next season and is eligible to be a free agent next summer.

Who got the better of the deal?

Houston.

Why?

The Rockets made getting younger a priority this off - season. Trading Willis, 35, is a beginning step in that process.

Houston now has three first round picks in the Draft (14th, 16th, and 18th) which will give them flexibility for additional moves. They can package any or all of the picks for a player or move up higher in the first round and draft a player they really like. Though it seems unlikely, they could keep all three picks and select players.

Roy Rogers, 24, has had chronic knee problems since his college playing days at Alabama. When he’s healthy, Roy is an excellent shot blocker and a good low post defender. However, his knees have not allowed him to play much since his rookie season (‘96-’97). Unless he can get healthy, Roy figures to take Charles Jones spot as the 12th man on the roster.

Kevin Willis gives Toronto a low post scoring big man they’ve lacked since they entered the league.

"Kevin addresses the most significant need that our team has and that is a tough, powerful veteran player in the front court," said Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald. "He's a very good defender and has consistently ranked among the the league leaders in rebounding. It is also critical that our young team add some veteran influence, and Kevin brings the experience to our roster and our locker room."

"(Willis) addresses a need we felt we had to take care of this summer," Grunwald said. "We haven't had anyone this good at center since we entered the league."

Unfortunately, Glen Grunwald isn’t correct when he said Kevin is “a very good defender”. Willis has never been a shot blocker and his defense has not been “very good” since his playing days with the Atlanta Hawks in the late 80s.

Willis should help young players like F Marcus Camby and F / C Sharone Wright by displaying his tremendous work ethic and physical fitness which head coach Butch Carter began to emphasize last season when he was the interim head coach.