Ariza and a First Made Houston the Largest Winner
Houston obtained Trevor Ariza from Washington as part of the July 15, 2014 three-team agreement. The Rockets also received Alonzo Gee, Scotty Hopson and a protected 2015 first-round pick from New Orleans. The choice ultimately conveyed at No. 18 and became Sam Dekker. Ariza supplied an established wing defender and floor spacer who became a four-year starter, while the first created additional value beyond his contract. The three-team routing must be preserved: Ariza came from the Wizards, while the pick and two other players arrived from the Pelicans.
Ariza Helped Houston in Two Conference Finals Runs
Ariza held a regular Houston starting role across four seasons and played on teams that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018. This is an identifiable competitive return rather than hypothetical improvement inferred from his reputation. The No. 18 first-round selection was a distinct draft result Houston could use or convert, though any later unrelated transaction should not be automatically counted twice. The combined player production and first-round asset support the Rockets' A- without suggesting all of the success of those teams was caused by this single trade.
New Orleans Bought a Starting Center for 2014-15
The Pelicans received Ömer Aşık, Omri Casspi and cash considerations. Aşık started 76 games in his first New Orleans season and averaged 9.8 rebounds, contributing to a 45-win team that reached the 2015 playoffs. That was meaningful short-term performance, not an empty return. His value declined afterward, and New Orleans later included him with another first-round pick in the 2018 Nikola Mirotić trade. The original 2015 first sent to Houston was a real cost. Casspi and cash belong to the return, but the immediate center role supplies its strongest documented basketball benefit.
Washington Used a Trade Exception to Recover Value
Washington did not retain Ariza, yet it avoided letting his free-agent departure pass with no incoming transaction consideration. The Wizards received Melvin Ely and a trade exception through the three-team structure, then used the exception to assist in acquiring Kris Humphries. That is a concrete secondary asset conversion, even though it isn't equivalent to acquiring a starting star. Washington's B+ and New Orleans' C+ describe different outcomes: one team monetized a departure and another bought short-term interior minutes. Houston's long Ariza tenure plus the first-round pick earned the strongest practical return.
Final Verdict
Slight Rockets Edge. Houston receives A- for four seasons of Trevor Ariza's starting role and the No. 18 first that became Sam Dekker. Washington earns B+ for converting Ariza's exit into a trade exception later used toward Kris Humphries. New Orleans receives C+ for Aşık's 76-start 2014-15 season, Casspi and cash, against the cost of a protected first. All three franchises got something identifiable, but Houston realized the most durable combined return.