NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Centers Rockets Could Acquire
The Houston Rockets are expected to be looking at centers before the trade deadline.
With a very slim market for big men this year, there aren't too many options available for the Rockets. However, The Athletic's Kelly Iko identified four players the team could look at.
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"Unfortunately, the [Jock] Landale experiment hasn’t panned out for either party, but Houston is quietly letting it be known they’re looking to shore up that department," Iko writes. "Three names I’ll be monitoring more closely as the weeks progress are Washington’s Gafford, Atlanta’s Clint Capela and Dallas’ Richaun Holmes, three big men who are seemingly attainable at the right price. I’d also like to point out that Bismack Biyombo is once again a free agent after a solid stint in Memphis, and has heard from a handful of teams already."
Gafford, 25, is in the first year of a three-year deal with the Washington Wizards and is making around $40 million over the course of the contract. He's arguably the best player of the names listed above, but will also probably cost the most in terms of assets. He's averaging 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Wizards this season.
Capela, 29, would be making his return to Houston if he's traded to the Rockets. After playing with the team from 2014-20, Capela was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he helped the team make the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. Now, the Hawks are looking to possibly trade him and the Rockets could be interested.
Holmes, 30, has fallen out of the rotation with the Dallas Mavericks, making him the most affordable option of the three. Based on that, it isn't certain that he would be an upgrade over Landale and the rest of Houston's centers.
Perhaps the Rockets could pass through the trade market and look at signing Biyombo, who was let go from the Grizzlies to seek a winning opportunity. Biyombo is an experienced rim protector and capable veteran who could help Houston in more ways than one ... but considering he isn't currently on a roster, there are likely better players Houston could seek out.
The NBA Trade Deadline is set for Thursday, Feb. 8.
