Las Vegas is the NBA’s unofficial home through July 17, with players, coaches, and executives on hand representing each of the league’s 30 teams at summer league. But while that setting does allow for more face-to-face interactions, it may not necessarily lead to trades, and particularly not for a rebuilding club like the young Houston Rockets.
In a mid-game interview on Saturday, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone was asked by ESPN whether he views summer league as a time to make deals, given the proximity to other executives. He responded:
I don’t think so. I think of it as a time to focus on your team. Once you get through the draft and beginning of free agency, it’s more about your group. For us, we’re really looking for internal growth. We’re not one piece away.
