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

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.