All 3 teams here have some issues.
The Jazz have a guy in Lauri who is way too good to be on a losing team but the Jazz are not in good shape to build around him/with him. Lauri is not the focal point of a championship team and maybe not even the second option, but he can definitely be an important piece on a championship team.
The Rockets have too much depth. Rarely ever an issue, but it is when you have to pay this depth eventually. With Sengun and Green entering contract years and guys like Jabari, Eason, Whitmore, and Amen all looking really promising as at least quality role players(which can make up to 30-40 mil a year look at Og), it will be very tough to pay all these guys, especially if Sengun and Green get maxes.
The Knicks have great guard depth but no center/big man depth. Their starting center played 31 games last year and their backup 4 is their starting 3. On the other hand, they have a top 10 sg in the league(top 15 at least), coming off their bench in Donte, not being as valuable to a team as he could be with his three point shooting and really good defense(no all defense level but not terribly far below).
So now to see why each team does this trade.
Houston:
This trade allows Houston to shift to a win now mode while getting a guy that can continue to grow with the team. Unlike KD or Jimmy who have been rumored, Lauri is only a couple of years older than most of the Rockets, meaning that if they can keep this team together and guys continue to progress as expected they can be a powerhouse for many years, not just a few. Jabari is the most expensive asset in this trade, but Lauri replaces him in the starting lineup meaning that Jabari would become significantly less important to this team. Swapping in Lauri for 2 players also means one less player to pay a potentially max contract, though Lauri is definitely going to get his money while the argument can be made that both Jalen and Jabari may or may not get that max.
Donte replaces Jalen in the starting lineup, giving a less dominant, better defending and three point shooter next to a guy like Sengun or Fred. I know Rocket fans love Reed Sheppard but it is best he comes off the bench to start this year as the Summer League hype is often not as a real as it looks, and learning behind guys like Fred and Donte would be great.
This puts Houston in the playoffs this year, and assuming 1 of Sengun, Amen, or Whitmore develops into an all star level talent or better(which you can argue Sengun is already there), the Rockets should be a team to watch out for for the next 5 years at least.
Starting 5: FVV, Donte, Brooks(for now), Lauri, Sengun Bench: Reed, Amen, Whitmore, Eason, Adams Reserves: Jeff Green, Jock, AJ Griffin?
Knicks:
Knicks fans, I am a knicks fan too. I understand the Villanova knicks are the answer and I am basically committing a crime right now, but if not for the Nova Knicks, Donte would almost 100% be the guy being talked about getting traded. A top 3 and d shooting guard in the league coming off the bench is a crime, even if we can find him 26+ min a night we have another guy in McBride who is potentially a better defender and could develop to be a better player(not yet but after last year as great as Donte was he got benched for Deuce a few times in the playoffs)
However, getting Jabari solves 2 problems. We get power forward/ center depth with a guy who is a really good defender(not great yet but could be eventually) who can guard 3-5 and stick with some guards, and he is also a great rebounder and an improved 3 point shooter(36% last year and 38% on catch and shoot 3s). The main reason I like Jabari though his potential to allow the Knicks to go "small" without sacrificing Og onto centers or trying to have Randle guard centers. Jabari can fill that role and provie great spacing around Randle. Just to put in perspective, Idk if Randle has ever had more than 2 players on the court prior to this year who shot over like 37% from 3. He would now have basically 4.
These trades suggesting Randle for Jabari ruins the point of Jabari, as I think that Randle would succeed most being surrounded by a guy like jabari. Giving up the 2 protected firsts is an L, but its worth it and there is a chance neither will convey. Of course the Knicks would offer no picks first and then one I'm hoping it wouldnt come to both of them but throw in both so no one gets mad aside from my Knick fans who I am apart of.
Starting 5: Brunson, Mikal, Og, Randle, Mitch(Jabari will close and maybe take over the starting spot) Bench: Payne/McBride/kolek, McBride/Payne, Hart, Bari/Precious, Bari/Precious/Sims
Jazz:
They finally trade Lauri jesus christ. Is a potential all star level player and 6 firsts enough including 4 unprotected. I hope so. Ainge is a criminal. Will add Rockets can also throw in another random young guy if they really want but imo it shouldn't be necessary
Best scenario Jazz tank some more for the boy Flagg and worst scenario they are somehow good because they always start good and then Ainge decides he wants more fucking picks so he trades away someone else.
If they can turn Jalen Green into a promising looking player Ainge will probably commit his third felony in like 4 years and get 18 firsts for Jalen Green.
Pretty self explanatory though no need to explain the starters or such they just get more draft capital to build up their little pick dynasty.