How the Deshaun Watson trade is still paying dividends for Houston Texans
DODGED A BULLET?
21 September 2023
After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.
However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.
So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!
For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.
With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?
DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith
Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.
Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?
Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!
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Jalen Green had 29 points to lead the Houston Rockets to a 111-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night in a game where Houston’s Steven Adams and Phoenix’s Mason Plumlee were ejected for fighting.
Alperen Sengun scored 20 points and Dillon Brooks added 19 to help the Rockets extend their winning streak to four.
Bradley Beal's two free throws got the Suns within eight with about 9 1/2 minutes to go before Houston used a 9-2 run to make it 99-84 with about seven minutes remaining. Jock Landale opened the run with a 3-point play and Brooks capped it with a layup after a turnover by Devin Booker.
Adams and Plumlee were ejected before halftime after getting into a fight where Adams wrestled Plumlee to the court.
STEVEN ADAMS AND MASON PLUMLEE SCUFFLE 😳
Both players got ejected after altercation. pic.twitter.com/dgji2IBhOo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 13, 2025
Beal had 25 points and Booker and Kevin Durant added 19 each as the Suns lost for the third time in four games.
Takeaways
Suns: Phoenix trailed for double digits for most of this one, a game after going to the wire in a 120-118 loss at Memphis on Monday night.
Rockets: Fred VanVleet had 10 points in 28 minutes in his return after missing 16 games with a right ankle strain. Houston needs him to return to form quickly as the team looks to finish the regular season strong and try to move up in the standings.
Key moment
The big run by the Rockets in the fourth that allowed them to pad the lead.
Key stat
The Suns made just 10 3-pointers Wednesday night after they made 20, with a season-high seven from Durant, on Monday night.
Up next
Both teams play Friday night. Phoenix hosts Sacramento, and Houston hosts Dallas.
