Report: Ime Udoka views Jae’Sean Tate as important piece for Rockets

For the 2023-24 season, the Houston Rockets already have a crowded forward rotation between recently signed Dillon Brooks and promising second-year talents Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.

The recent trade of KJ Martin to the Los Angeles Clippers for future draft capital was made largely with that logjam in mind, and many analysts wondered if Tate might be a similar casualty as well (at $6.5 million, he makes close to the same salary Usman Garuba, TyTy Washington, and Josh Christopher combined, who were all traded elsewhere Saturday as part of deals to clear cap room).

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But as new head coach Ime Udoka sees it, Houston’s rotation of forwards could be four deep. Per Kelly Iko of The Athletic, trade inquiries for  Jae’Sean Tate have been rebuffed this offseason, largely due to Udoka’s belief in the rugged 27-year-old forward.

Iko writes:

Rival teams that have inquired about Jae’Sean Tate’s availability at various points in the offseason have all been left with the impression that he’s considered an important piece of Ime Udoka’s puzzle.

In a subsequent article, Iko reports that Eason and Tate have been “early defensive standouts” in the team’s summer workouts.

It should be noted that Tate played occasional minutes as a backup center early in his NBA career, and that could perhaps be explored again in 2023-24. While shorter than nearly all centers at 6-foot-5, Tate does offer considerable strength and bulk, and Houston’s second unit could perhaps offset some of that reduced length with the presence of 6-foot-7 Amen Thompson at point guard.

In three NBA seasons, Tate has averaged 11.2 points (49.8% FG, 30.7% on 3-pointers), 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.7 minutes.