NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Centers Rockets Could Acquire

The Houston Rockets will look at centers before the NBA Trade Deadline.
NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Centers Rockets Could Acquire
NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Centers Rockets Could Acquire /
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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.

Clint Capela Jae'Sean Tate Hawks
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

"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.

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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.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.