The Rockets are making a deal to send Robert Covington to Portland for Trevor Ariza, a pick for the first round in 2020 and a protected pick for the first round in 2021, sources said Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The blazers send Houston the 16th election in Wednesday’s NBA draft and another future first-round election. The deal cannot be finalized until Wednesday’s draft.
Covington was part of the four-team, 12-player deal that brought Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks in February. He came from Minnesota on one of the NBA’s most expansive businesses in nearly 20 years, during which the Timberwolves also acquired two first-round picks, including Houston’s 2020 picks, given to Denver for security guard Malik Beasley and striker Juan Hernangomez Passing nuggets on.
The 6-foot-7 Covington has become one of the NBA’s top defenders, averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds over his seven NBA seasons with three teams.
Ariza, 35, joined the Blazers in February as part of a deal with Sacramento and started each of his 21 games for Portland averaging 11 points, 4.8 rebounds and one steal. He shot 49% off the ground, 40% of which with 3 hands. For his career, Ariza has averaged 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 16 seasons.
Ariza decided not to participate in the Florida reboot of the NBA in Florida and instead committed to a month-long visit window with his young son.
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