Last offseason, the Houston Rockets made a splash move, trading for Kevin Durant, one of the game’s greatest players and especially scorers. Houston traded away arguably one of its brightest young players in Jalen Green, while also parting with Dillon Brooks—a quintessential 3-and-D player—along with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a bevy of second-round draft picks (five, to be exact).
Durant played 78 games in his first season with the Rockets, averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 52% from the field, 41.3% from deep and 87.4% from the foul line. The trade has been a success, especially when considering Houston’s placement in lieu of the injuries that have ravaged the team.
The deal was also one of many trades made by the franchise that landed a superstar. The Clyde Drexler trade in 1995 helped the Rockets repeat as NBA champions. The James Harden trade in 2012 made the Rockets the winningest franchise over an eight-year period. The Chris Paul trade made the 2017-18 Rockets the best team in franchise history.
One trade, however, didn’t quite yield the same results. The Tracy McGrady trade from 2004.
The Trade That Changed Everything (Or Didn’t)
The Rockets paired McGrady with All-NBA big man Yao Ming, giving the team two surefire superstar players at the time. But they never won a postseason series together. Granted, injuries limited their ability to take the court together, and they ultimately only played together for two postseason runs.
Houston’s only postseason success during Yao’s tenure came in the 2009 playoffs, when McGrady was actually injured.
All told, Houston sent Cuttino Mobley, Kelvin Cato and Steve Francis to the Orlando Magic, in exchange for McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines.
More than two decades later, Mobley is still in disagreement with the Rockets’ decision to make the trade.
Mobley’s Frustration: “You Didn’t Have Enough Patience”
“I blame Jeff Van Gundy to this day,” Mobley said. “That’s my guy. I love him to death. But I always tell Jeff that you didn’t have enough patience for me and Steve [Francis], because we would have… I’m not going to say we would have won one… but we would have given teams a problem with Yao Ming.”
Mobley and Francis did help the Rockets reach the postseason once, during the 2003-04 season. And Francis was a good player, having made three consecutive All-Star teams, as well as winning the Rookie of the Year award in the 1999-00 season.
But it goes without saying that you make the deal for a superstar if afforded the opportunity. McGrady was just 25 years old at the time and was coming off two consecutive scoring titles, along with four consecutive All-NBA teams. He even made three more All-NBA teams with the Rockets.
The Case for the Trade: A Star-Driven League
It is certainly understandable for Mobley to feel the way he does, since he was one of the players sent off. But the NBA has always been a star-driven league. If you can get a future Hall of Famer in his prime, you do it every time.
McGrady was exactly that. He was a generational scorer, a player who could take over a game single-handedly. The Rockets believed that pairing him with Yao Ming would create a dynasty.
It didn’t work out. Injuries derailed what could have been a special partnership. But that does not mean the decision was wrong.
The 2025 Durant Trade: A Different Outcome?
The Rockets’ recent trade for Kevin Durant has drawn comparisons to the McGrady deal. Both involved trading away young talent and draft capital for an aging superstar. Both were gambles.
But the early returns on the Durant trade are promising. The Rockets have won eight straight games at one point this season. Durant has been efficient, durable, and everything Houston hoped for.
The difference? Health. Durant has played 78 games. McGrady and Yao could never stay on the court together long enough to build momentum.
The Verdict: You Make the Trade Every Time
Cuttino Mobley’s frustration is understandable. He was a key piece of the Rockets’ core, and he believed that group could have accomplished something special. He blames Jeff Van Gundy for not having enough patience.
But the Rockets made the right decision. McGrady was a transcendent talent. The opportunity to acquire him was one that any general manager would have taken.
It didn’t work out. Injuries are unpredictable. But the process was sound.
Mobley may never forgive Van Gundy. And that is his right. But in the star-driven NBA, you swing for the fences. Sometimes you hit a home run. Sometimes you strike out.
The Rockets swung. And even though it didn’t lead to a championship, it was still the right call.