Report: Houston Rockets trade Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for Trevor Ariza, multiple draft picks

Benyam Kidane

Report: Houston Rockets trade Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers for Trevor Ariza, multiple draft picks image

The Houston Rockets are reportedly finalising a trade to send Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Trevor Ariza and two future first-round draft picks, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Ariza returns to Houston for his third stint with the team, after a one-year playing for the Rockets in the 2009-10 season and then again from 2014-18.

The 35-year-old averaged 11 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Blazers after arriving midway through the season following a trade with the Sacramento Kings.

Meanwhile, Covington proved to be a valuable contributor for the Rockets after being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in 21 regular-season games, shooting 50% from the 3-point line in 12 post-season appearances. 

Covington is owed $12.1 million in 2020-21 and $13.0 million the following season, while Ariza is in the final year of his contract, owed $12.8 million in 2020-21.

The views expressed here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.

 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.