Houston Rockets

Report: Houston Rockets have been searching market for ‘franchise centerpiece-worthy player’

Published by
Casey McCarthy

The Houston Rockets could be a team willing to part ways with some players ahead of the trade deadline in hopes of landing a franchise centerpiece.

“As for sellers, keep an eye on Houston as we get closer to the deadline,” wrote The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “There’s lots of chatter about the Rockets being even more open for business than we may have previously thought, with one rival executive indicating that Houston is still on the lookout for a franchise centerpiece-worthy player and thus open to all sorts of possibilities (translation: While Jalen Green is seen as a big part of their future, [James] Harden’s old spot has yet to be truly filled). Christian Wood can be had, it seems, and John highlighted the Charlotte [Hornets] possibility in a piece with our Rockets beat writer, Kelly Iko.”

The Rockets have not had an ideal 2021-22 season so far, currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference at 13-32. Houston has looked to be in rebuild mode ever since sending James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets.

Rookie Jalen Green has shown flashes of promise this season, but those flashes haven’t translated into the win column too often so far. Green is averaging 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season.

Center Christian Wood had looked like a piece the Rockets might build around, but may be offloaded in hopes of landing something more. Wood is averaging 17.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in his second season in Houston.

The Rockets have lost four of their past six games and will be back in action on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.

Casey McCarthy

Casey is a sportswriter working most recently with the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake, Wash. and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University. He has been an NFL and NBA fan for more than 20 years.

Published by
Casey McCarthy

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

5 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

2 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago