With Clint Capela expected to be sidelined until late January due to a leg injury, the Rockets are probing the trade market for available bigs, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (via Twitter). Since the trade deadline is still more than two months away, teams may not be compelled to deal quite yet, so the most likely scenario is that Houston gives Capela’s minutes to players like Nene and Montrezl Harrell, per Wojnarowski.
While Nerlens Noel has been the most-discussed trade candidate over the last few days, there are several big men around the NBA believed to be available. Greg Monroe has long been on the block in Milwaukee, and players like Kosta Koufos, Andrew Bogut, and Kenneth Faried have been mentioned as trade candidates in recent months, though their teams aren’t necessarily looking to move them right now. As Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer details, a handful of teams around the NBA have frontcourt logjams, so there could be a few potential matches for Houston.
Free agency is also an option for the Rockets, though the team would have to open up a spot on its 15-man roster to sign someone. The most notable big man on the free agent market also seems unlikely to sign with Houston — Donatas Motiejunas is now an unrestricted free agent, after enduring a contract standoff with the Rockets that lasted several months.
While it’s worth keeping an eye on the Rockets in the coming weeks, the team would probably be more inclined to make a move if Capela’s injury was projected to keep him out for most or all of the season. According to Wojnarowski (via Twitter), Houston is still waiting for “final medical intel” on Capela’s injury, but is expecting him to miss about four to six weeks. That timeline would put him on track to return well before the February 23 trade deadline.
Nerlens
Trade for Noel. But wait until Christmas Day to do it. Maybe Christmas Eve if the GMs want to spend some family time on Christmas Day.
The Rockets have nothing the 76ers want
Yea rockets don’t have losing players….
I laughed
That situation with Motiejunas was incredibly sad and embarrassing for the entire league.
Just spread those minutes onto Nene and Harrell.
Rights to Segio Llull, rights to Alessandro Gentile and corey brewer for Nerlens Noel, and Nik Staukas
The Rockets should trade for N. Noel or Greg Monroe, but the only issue would be is the style of play and will it fit Houston’s chemistry. Noel, seems more of a fit because he’s athletic, a finisher and rim protector. On the other hand, Greg Monroe is an all-around player he crashes the board, offensive post player, capable of hitting the mid-range jumper and a decent free-throw shooter; which is something Houston hasn’t had at that position since Yao Ming