Uduka is well connected and has attracted many players to the Rockets. Management hopes to use his connections to bring an All-Star caliber player on the trade market to help the team achieve its goal of returning to the playoffs. Uduka personally recruited players through social media.

During the loss to the Cavaliers, Uduka publicly recruited Mitchell during a timeout, with English subtitles. Mitchell, using the nickname Spider-Man, responded that he needed to leave Cleveland first. Some Rockets fans agreed with the idea and wanted to see Jaylen Green leave the team, while American suggested the Rockets make a 6-for-1 trade offer to successfully complete the Mitchell deal.

The deal calls for the Rockets to send Jaylen Green, Landale, Oladipo and at least three first-round picks in exchange for Mitchell. The move is also attractive to the Cavaliers as they embark on a new round of rebuilding. Mitchell, 27, is averaging 27.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three-point range. Mitchell was an outstanding shooting guard who was selected to four NBA All-Star teams. His addition helps the Rockets solve their offensive problems at critical times and provides a consistent All-Star player. After completing the 7-for-1 deal, the Rockets are expected to be virtually guaranteed a playoff berth this season.

The Cavaliers have been slow to re-sign Mitchell and could trade him to another team before his contract expires. The trade gives the Cavaliers three first-round draft picks and No. 2 overall pick Jaylen Green, all valuable resources for future rebuilding. For the Rockets, they won an All-Star level player through the trade to lay a good foundation for the playoffs; And the Cavaliers are using Mitchell's expiring contract to accumulate enough rebuilding resources. From both perspectives, this trade is a win-win situation for both the Rockets and Cavaliers.