He would be the emergency SF if we trade Brooks. He is still a 10-15 min a game worthy player on the right team, but we are so stacked at his position, it would make no sense for him to get playing time.
Tate is fine as a 9th or 10th man. A guy who brings energy in the regular season but isn't required in your playoff rotation. Beyond that he's a better fit on a team with shooters all over the court. Unless the rockets have a big trade that opens up playing time, it's probably in his best interest to go to a different team.
The Rockets haven't had much scrub time so far. When that changes, Tate might get some run. If much larger roles for Amen and Tari take minutes from DB and Jabari, where do you think that leaves Tate? Just like with Aaron Holiday this year, Rockets did Tate a solid a couple of years ago and don't owe him any favors.
I'm glad he was ready for a few minutes vs the Spurs tonight. He forced a turnover with his defense, leading to Whitmore's dunk.
Tate is a feel good story. He brought grit into a team that was full of pansies. But it seems that Ime has got pretty much the whole rotation playing with tenacity. Depth is always important because there will always be a necessity of able bodies.
