The Houston Rockets find themselves in a position to contend for a playoff spot, positioning them as notable contenders to be buyers at the upcoming NBA trade deadline on February 8.
Reports from Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick of The Athletic indicate that the Rockets are actively exploring the center market with a focus on enhancing their rim protection.
Specifically, Houston has expressed interest in players such as Kelly Olynyk from Utah, Clint Capela from Atlanta, Andre Drummond from Chicago, and Robert Williams III from Portland.
Despite having a promising young center in 21-year-old Alperen Şengün, who is posting impressive averages of 21.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, the Rockets are seeking additional depth in the frontcourt as they strive for a playoff berth.
With a current record of 22-24, the Rockets are positioned at 11th place in the Western Conference, trailing the Utah Jazz by just half a game for the final play-in tournament spot.
Houston entered this season with aspirations of competitiveness after a challenging 22-60 campaign the previous year.
Notable additions such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks through free agency, along with the appointment of Ime Udoka as the head coach, have already helped the team match its win total from the previous year, with 36 games remaining in the season.
Despite a recent slump, where Houston has gone 11-15 since a promising 13-9 start, the team possesses the talent to make a playoff push but could benefit from additional reinforcements, particularly in the frontcourt.
Among the potential trade targets, Andre Drummond has been impressive in limited action for the Chicago Bulls, contributing 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in just 15.9 minutes per game.
Clint Capela, a former Rocket, maintains a double-double average of 11.4 points and 10.5 rebounds for the struggling Atlanta Hawks (20-27). Kelly Olynyk, another former Rocket now with the Utah Jazz, brings a well-rounded skill set, shooting 42.5 percent from three and averaging 8.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
Robert Williams III, currently sidelined for the 2023-24 season due to right knee surgery, presents a viable option for the Rockets next season with his defensive prowess. Williams had been contributing 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Portland Trail Blazers before his season-ending injury in November.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Houston Rockets emerge as a team to closely monitor, with potential moves in the center market that could significantly impact their playoff aspirations.
