Rockets send Covington to Portland for Ariza, picks

The Rockets are finalizing a trade to send Robert Covington to Portland for Trevor Ariza and 2020 first-round pick and 2021 protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

Source: Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter)

ANALYSIS: Robert Covington only played 22 games as a Rocket after being dealt from Minnesota at the deadline, and will now play for his third team in two seasons. Covington is the perfect 3-and-D player for Portland as he guards the perimeter well and shoots the 3-ball at a high percentage. 

The Rockets will get Trevor Ariza in return, who previously played in Houston for five seasons and is coming off a solid stint with Portland. Despite his age, Ariza is still a force on defense and can provide his own offense at times as well. The draft picks that Houston will receive include the 16th pick in the 2020 Draft and a protected first-round pick in 2021.